A NEW tourism campaign aims to make Mandurah an international golfing destination.
Mandurah and Peel Tourism Organisation (MAPTO) is coordinating the efforts to market local courses as world class and affordable.
Chief executive Steven Hollë said he was optimistic the plan would encourage overseas tourists to enjoy Mandurah’s “pristine courses”, along with everything else the region has to offer.
“The real benefits will be to develop formal economic clusters and see how we can work with clubs to develop skills such as apprenticeships, continue to work on financial management, membership bases, sharing ideas and solving similar problems they might have,” Mr Hollë said.
A number of golf clubs have jumped on the bandwagon including The Cut, Mandurah Country Club and Meadow Springs Golf Club; with Secret Harbour and Port Kennedy clubs also likely to come on board.
The idea was sparked at a round table discussion between the City of Mandurah and local businesses looking for a tourism product which could be used to promote the Peel region.
Mandurah Country Club general manager Grant Shortland-Jones said the Peel was one of the most “golf-rich” areas in the state and collectively – with the support of the tourism industry – they could do so much more.
Past marketing has been aimed at day trips from Perth, but the idea behind the new campaign is to put together three and four-night ‘stay and play’ packages.
“We have great golf courses but we’ve never worked together and put together packages to encourage people to stay,” Mr Shortland-Jones said.
“The off-shoots will be beneficial to the whole Peel community, not only the clubs but also for hotels, restaurants and a variety of other businesses.”
Mr Hollë said MAPTO was keen to explore the Asian market, such as Singapore and Hong Kong who already travel to Western Australia for golf.
He said the Peel’s courses compared well with any in Perth and even the east coast of Australia.