A group of 14 businesses have this week joined the Scottish Tourist Board in a drive to break into the lucrative world golf travel market by attending the International Association of Golf Tour Operators trade show in Florida. The show attracts golf tour operators from all over the world and is the top business forum for the golf travel sector, estimated to be worth some $24 billion a year in America alone.
Those attending include Gleneagles Hotel, Carnoustie Golf Course Hotel,
Turnberry Hotel and Golf Course, the Old Course Hotel, Carnoustie Country, St
Andrews Bay Golf Resort and Spa, Kingsbarns, Wilkinson Golf, Rusacks Hotel,
Myres Castle, Inn at Lathones, Highlands of Golf Incorporated and St Andrews,
the Home of Golf.
A golf tournament is being sponsored by STB with the top prize offered by
Nick White from The Inn at Lathones, St Andrews who has donated three nights
at Myres Castle and four nights at The Inn at Lathones for the winner. This
tournament will involve key tour operators and VIPs.
“This is a great opportunity to reaffirm Scotland’s credentials as the home of golf,” said Neen Kelly, golf marketing manager for STB. “We hope it will generate a whole new interest in golf in Scotland from all over the world as well as raising awareness of Scotland’s bid for the 2009 Ryder Cup. We can’t thank The Inn at Lathones enough for this prize, which is worth several thousand pounds.” She added, “This shows how the Scottish Tourist Board and the golf industry can work in partnership to benefit Scottish tourism.”
“This is a new opportunity to show the true quality of our golf facilities and to spotlight our top quality accommodation and warm Scottish hospitality,” said Nick White from The Inn at Lathones. “We see this partnership approach with the Scottish Tourist Board as the new way forward for the future.”