Date :
21/07/2015
The prestigious 114th Open Championship at the St Andrews Links golf course is predicted to boost Scotland’s economy by more than £100 million.
The historic Old Course is set to see more than 200,000 golf fans attending and alongside the action, images of St Andrews, Fife and the Scottish countryside will be broadcast to an estimated global audience of 600 million people.
Scotland has more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in the world and the sport contributes an estimated £220 million to the Scottish economy, supporting 4,400 jobs. For every £1 visiting golfers spend on green fees, they also contribute a further £5 to other areas of tourism including food, accommodation and entertainment.
According to VisitScotland, the golf tourism industry is predicted to generate a potential £300 million for the Scottish economy by the end of the decade.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “Scotland is the undisputed home of golf, and the Open is the jewel in the crown of what is a truly unmissable summer for the sport. The world continues to marvel at Scotland’s stunning beauty and our unbeatable reputation for hosting the biggest and best events in the game. The hundreds of thousands of visitors to the event help contribute to Scotland’s economy by staying in hotels, using restaurants, drinking in bars and shopping in our retail outlets.”
A comprehensive guide on Golf Tourism in Scotland is available to download from Tourism Intelligence Scotland. The guide gives an overview of the sector, insights on visitors and tips on how your business can succeed in this market.