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Ryder Cup boosts Scotland’s events industry credibility

Scotland’s credibility within the major events industry has been boosted following the 2014 Ryder Cup, according to VisitScotland’s events directorate EventScotland

Date : 10/10/2014

  
The Ryder Cup is one of the biggest events in world sport, with 250,000 spectators and a broadcast reach of over half a billion and according to veteran of nine Ryder Cups, Butch Harmon, Gleneagles hosted the “best organised” event he’d ever attended.


 

As well as the Ryder Cup, Scotland also won the chance to host the Commonwealth Games, MTV Europe Music Awards and the IAAF Diamond League, which were secured in direct competition with major countries around the world.


  

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said: “There has been a step-change in how we are perceived around the world in terms of major events and we are now most certainly amongst the global elite. Over the past decade our reputation has grown rapidly and we have shown that we are now in a select group of established major event destinations, with international federations and property owners seeing the benefit in bringing their events to Scotland.

“What is important is that we are now renowned for our experience and expertise in event delivery; which is complimented by our fantastic built and natural environments, our rich culture and heritage, and our people. Bidding for events is a highly competitive process, but we have developed an innovative structure and approach to major events, which has proven to be very successful.”



Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said: “Major events play a key role in Scotland’s tourism offering and our world-leading approach has put us at the forefront of this global industry. Scotland is the perfect stage for events and we are in the enviable position of having some truly world-renowned properties, which are supported by major one-off events and Championships. 



“The impact on wider industries is significant, and it truly puts tourism at the heart of the Scottish economy. 2014 has seen us host some of the biggest events in the world, and we are using the year as a launchpad into 2015, where we will welcome even more major events to Scotland.” 



For more information on how to get the most out of events and the visiting golfer market download the Tourism Intelligence Guide for Golf Tourism & Scotland and the Events & Festivals Guide.