With Team Europe’s victory in golf’s Ryder Cup still fresh in the memory, the build up to the return of The Open to Royal Portrush in 2025 ramped up this week as the Golf Ireland Convention was back in Northern Ireland for the first time in four years.
Hosted by Tourism NI with support from the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), 40 influential golf tour buyers from international markets arrived in Northern Ireland to learn more about plans to further enhance the local golf tourism sector offering ahead of the 153rd Open. The tour operators are also planning for the return of the Horizon Irish Open to Royal County Down in 2024.
According to the Tourism NI report ‘Golf Tourism in Northern Ireland: How the pandemic and recovery has impacted visitor golf’, published in June, bookings made through tour operators last year were up 77% on 2019 and the overall number of tee times booked by visitors was 30% higher than pre-Covid levels.
Taking place at the Ebrington Hotel in Derry~Londonderry, 80 golf tourism providers including hotels, golf courses, transport providers and experiences from across the island of Ireland participated in one-to-one appointments and a range of networking opportunities with the international golf buyers to showcase what Northern Ireland has to offer as a golf destination.
As part of the visit, the 40 international buyers from key golf markets including North America, Great Britain, Europe and Asia were welcomed to the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle, Co. Down before travelling to the North West for the official convention.
The buyers also had the opportunity to play at a range of golf courses during the week, including Clandeboye, Royal Belfast, Malone, Belvoir Park, Galgorm Castle, Portstewart, Templepatrick and Castlerock. The conference concludes at Royal Portrush with the annual GIC Golf Tournament on Friday 6th October.
Tourism NI Director of Events Áine Kearney said: “Golf tourism plays a crucial role in the overall reputation of Northern Ireland as a tourism destination on the global stage. Since successfully hosting The Open in 2019, visitors’ bookings have continued to rise at our golf clubs and are now 30% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
“In global terms, visitor green fee revenue increased by 153% in 2022 compared to 2019, with the vast majority of bookings coming through tour operators. With Royal Portrush set to host The 153rd Open in 2025, and the return of the Horizon Irish Open to Royal County Down next year, we are delighted to host the Golf Ireland Convention and showcase all that Northern Ireland has to offer to these important golf tour operators.”
All delegates and suppliers present at the convention enjoyed a panel discussion involving Mike Woodcock from The R&A, Áine Kearney of Tourism NI and Gary McNeill, pro at Royal Portrush. Hosted by sports presenter Stephen Watson, the panel looked back on the success of The Open in 2019 and the opportunities for Northern Ireland in 2025. The event was also attended by representatives of Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and IAGTO.
