BusinessWith In the swing for golfing tourist treat

Ayrshire has been used as the platform to launch golf Scotland’s golf tourism week.

VisitScotland bosses are bidding to smash their £ 300 million target for the sport’s impact on the economy.

And they chose Dundonald Links to promote golf tourism week, which takes place between October 23- 27.

It came as some of the world’s top golfers teed it up at the Scottish Open in North Ayrshire.

Launching the week, tourism secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “This event plays a key role in our drive to firmly establish Scotland as the world’s leading golf destination.

“As a whole, the Scottish golf industry is worth more than £ 1.1 billion per year, supporting more than 20,000 jobs, with golf tourism contributing £ 286 million but even so, we know there is huge potential for growth.

“Our ‘ Driving Forward Together’ strategy is the roadmap for achieving golf tourism growth in Scotland, reaching £ 300million by 2020.”

Research shows overseas’ golfers will spend on average 4.5 times more per day than a regular tourist and for every £ 1 spent on playing golf, £ 5 is spent elsewhere in Scotland’s economy.