The Scottish Golf Tourism Seminar will take place at the Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauld on 9th February. It will be the first opportunity for those involved in this sector to meet and discuss the current marketplace and it will examine what needs to be done to meet the challenges.
Bernard Gallagher OBE will be the keynote speaker and will talk of what Scotland means to golfers around the world. He will also present the annual golf tourism awards on behalf of Scottish Incoming Golf Tour Operators Association, which will honour those who have provided an exceptional service to the golf industry. Awards will be presented for the best golf course, golf caddy, golf hotel and golf club secretary.
The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Alasdair Morrison MSP will open the seminar. Other speakers include marketing and training experts from across Scotland.
With golf tourism generating in the region of £100 million annually and with more than 500 courses throughout Scotland, the potential of this important niche market is immense. In July 2000, the now First Minister Henry McLeish launched the New Strategy for Scottish Golf Tourism, which highlighted the need for a clear national approach to this area of the industry.
Susan Grant, Golf Tourism Development Manager said: “Although Scotland is widely acknowledged as being the Home of Golf, the market is fragmented and a more unified approach is required to take full advantage of this sector. As well as discussing the challenges we face, the seminar is an ideal opportunity for the opinions of those directly involved in golf tourism to be heard. Scotland can be re-established on the international stage as the main destination for golfing holidays, and through an event like this we can make sure that everything is done to achieve that.”
Scottish Tourist Board www.visitscotland.com