AGL header 로고

• Partnered with Google since July last year

• Tee-time bookings at 4,000 courses across 205 countries

• Visitor traffic up 8,000% in just one year

• “Golf courses benefit from attracting customers,

• while golfers can book at reasonable prices.”

• — Jim Hwang, CEO of golf tech company AGL

Jim Hwang, CEO of golf tech firm AGL, speaks about Tiger Booking. (By Seung-hwan Lee)

The mastermind behind this system, which confirms golf tee times with just a few clicks like booking flights and accommodations, is Jim Huang (Korean name Hwang Jin-guk), CEO of global golf tech company AGL. Having first launched Tigerbooking in 2019, he has now achieved an innovation that partners with over 4,000 golf courses across 205 countries and generates 6 million tee times daily.

In a recent interview with Maeil Business Newspaper, CEO Hwang emphasized, “After realizing that the secret to airlines always filling every seat lies in GDS, I immediately took on a new challenge. By systematically addressing each shortcoming, we've now gained recognition for our technology from golfers worldwide and big tech companies. We will expand our network of partner golf courses and integrate TigerBooking into more platforms to become a company driving the growth of the golf industry.”

GDS technology refers to an integrated distribution system that connects and enables the booking or sale of products and services worldwide. Global online travel agencies (OTAs) like Agoda and Expedia commercialized GDS technology early on. However, in golf, Tigerbooking was the first to integrate GDS technology and successfully changed the landscape of golf reservation systems.

CEO Hwang stated, “GDS technology played a significant role in growing the airline and hotel market to a scale of 1,000 trillion won. I believe the golf market will also grow rapidly.” He added, “A virtuous cycle will be created where golf courses sell more tee times and golfers play rounds at reasonable prices. Thanks to GDS technology, the golf market size, not only in Korea but worldwide, will grow beyond imagination.”

Another anticipated effect is the rational pricing of green fees at Korean golf courses. CEO Hwang explained, “The day when golf course reservations can be compared for price, just like flights and hotels, is not far off. If prices fluctuate daily based on golfer demand, tee time utilization rates will rise to levels incomparable to the past.”

Having implemented GDS technology early, CEO Hwang has now completed preparations to integrate AI technology into Tiger Booking. He emphasized, “We began developing AI technology early to make Tiger Booking even more convenient for golfers. We are currently conducting final checks before commercialization. Soon, when users request a customized golf trip by inputting information like desired country, region, and dates, the AI will immediately present several options.”

How much has Tiger Booking's reservation rate changed since collaborating with Google last July? CEO Hwang stated, “Compared to a year ago, visitors have increased by 8000%. When we look at users' countries, the proportion of foreigners is higher than Koreans. The reservation rate has also risen significantly, and we are truly feeling the power of Google.” He added, "The countries where golf course reservations are made have also become incomparably more diverse than before. The United States, Spain, Portugal, France, and the United Kingdom are notable examples. Korean golfers, too, are now visiting a wider range of countries, unlike the past when they were concentrated in Japan and Southeast Asia."

CEO Hwang expressed his hope that more foreign golfers would visit Korea. He emphasized, "Only about 100 Korean golf courses can be booked from abroad. Many Korean golf courses still harbor reservations about accepting foreign golfers. If this issue is resolved, the number of foreign golfers enjoying K-Golf will increase exponentially."

Tiger Booking revealed plans to conquer the Asian market before targeting the US and Europe. He stated, "Becoming the undisputed number one company in Asia is our top priority. After that, we plan to steadily expand our reach to Europe, the US, and beyond. The US is the stage requiring the most attention. We aim to increase our affiliated golf courses to 20,000 within three years."

Source: Maeil Business Newspaper (https://www.mk.co.kr/)

Click to View the Original Article