The UK government, in collaboration with VisitEngland has unveiled a series of strategic investments, designed to grow the tourism economy for the nation. Golf Tourism England was one of a number of successful applicants in the first tranche of investments from the Discover England Fund, which sets out to ensure that England stays competitive in the rapidly growing global tourism industry, by offering world-class English tourism products to the right customers at the right time. The team at Golf Tourism England were amongst the first to receive the grant, which comes on the back of quite a period of distinction for England’s golf world.
VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said, “Golf tourism is a fast-growing and competitive sector of the tourism industry and this investment will increase England’s market share by building world-class tourism products that convert aspiration to visit into bookings as we drive inbound tourism and spread its economic benefits across the regions of England.”
Golf Tourism England, an association set up to represent the interests of English golf clubs and support the education and infrastructure of wider tourism stakeholders, has been awarded one of the first grants from the Discover England fund. The organisation was set up in 2014 and has made significant inroads, developing new product strands and unlocking new trade partnerships, providing a clear pathway to increased inbound visitor volumes.
“Golf has been a traditional stronghold for many destinations’ global inbound tourism strategies,” commented Andrew Cooke, CEO of Golf Tourism England. “Two things have been clear since setting up the association; the quality and depth of the golf product in England and the willingness of stakeholders to collaborate on cumulative strategies to drive their businesses forward. It has been this cumulative attraction approach of pooling assets into clusters that has really brought England’s golf product to life and showcased it against the very best the world of golf has to offer.”
Yorkshire born Masters’ Champion, Danny Willett was quick to praise the Government’s commitment to investing in England’s golf tourism framework, “It is a champagne era for golf in England and I think it is a great move from the Government to invest in positioning the country in the minds of international golfers. There is an abundance of great courses, across all of the counties that together create a match for the very best golf destinations in the world.”
The fund will support Golf Tourism England’s product development strategy with funding and internal resource support. With their internal channels and global connectivity, VisitEngland and VisitBritain will work in conjunction with GTE to fuel increased interest within the valuable golf consumer sector.
Golf Tourism England www.golftourismengland.com