The International Association of Golf Tour Operators has named Scotland as the winner of the Established Golf Destination of the Year Award. The awards are voted for by IAGTO’s 165 tour operators from 32 different countries.
The IAGTO awards ceremony will took place last night in Estoril near Lisbon in front of 850 golf tourism delegates from around the world. The awards are held each December during the International Golf Travel Market, the world’s premier trade show focusing on golf travel.
Scotland is privileged to have over 540 spectacular golf courses across the country and golf is worth over £300 million to the Scottish economy. Golfing visitors on average spend more than double that of other visitors to Scotland and for every £1 spent on green fees a further £5 is spent elsewhere in the Scottish economy.
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Patricia Ferguson said, “I am delighted that Scotland has won the prestigious ‘Established Golf Destination of the Year Award‘ Golf tourism is an important market for Scotland which is valued at £300 million having seen a significant increase in revenue over the last four years. These impressive figures illustrate that if we are imaginative about marketing our unique product, golf tourism provides enormous potential for growth.
“Scotland is famed as ‘the Home of Golf‘ and boasts some of the world’s finest courses, and I want us to build on that richly deserved reputation. To achieve our ambitious plans to grow tourism revenues by 50% over the next decade we need to offer top quality services, food and accommodation, so we can ensure Scotland is a must-visit destination for the world’s golfers, their friends and families.”
VisitScotland’s chief executive Philip Riddle said, “We are all delighted about this well deserved recognition for our wonderful golf courses and for those involved in managing and promoting them. This helps to reinforce our position as the Home of Golf. We are aiming to boost Scottish tourism revenues by 50% within ten years and the high quality golf experience we can offer is vital to achieving this goal.”
Tourism industry partners attending IGTM with VisitScotland are:
- The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa, St. Andrews
- St Andrews Bay Golf Resort & Spa
- Wilkinson Golf
- Links Golf St. Andrews
- Myres Castle & The Inn at Lathones
- Carnoustie Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa
- The Carrick on Loch Lomond
- Scottish Golf Southwest
- Golf Highland
- The Marcliffe at Pitfodels
- Aberdeen & Grampian Tourist Board
- Murrayshall House Hotel & Golf Course
- The Green Hotel, Kinross