Funds put tourism on course

A S PHIL Mickelson celebrates his Open success, Fife’s golf courses have been reaping the tourism rewards after £32,000 of funding helped raise their global profile.

Major cash boosts from VisitScotland have seen golf courses and tourism businesses in Fife, East Lothian and the Highlands increase their marketing activity with the creation of apps, the expansion of websites, the production of new visitor guides and the creation of stay-and-play packages.

Since 2011, the national tourism organisation’s growth fund has match-funded marketing projects for dozens of tourism partnerships.

A nd with the Open having been played in East Lothian and the Ryder Cup returning to Scotland in 2014, VisitScotland said the timing could not be better to promote golf.

Its chairman Mike Cantlay said: “We’ve said it many times but Scotland is the undisputed home of golf.

“Events such as the Open Championship and Ryder Cup are fantastic for the profile of the game in this country, showing the quality of experience available to a global audience.

“A nd it’s not just about the courses themselves — businesses such as hotels, bed and breakfasts and restaurants also benefit.

“We were delighted to be able to assist these golf tourism partnerships in East Lothian, Fife and the Highlands with more than £120,000 from the Growth Fund, allowing them to boost their international profile and encouraging more visitors to come here and discover exactly what makes a golfing holiday in Scotland so special.”

Scottish tourism minister Fergus Ewing added: “Golf plays a significant role in Scotland’s tourism economy, with hotels, bed and breakfasts, pubs and restaurants all benefiting from the influx of visitors.

“The marketing of our world-class golf courses is instrumental in securing Scotland’s position on the golfing map and encouraging even more visitors to come and play here.”

Launched in March 2011, the fund has approved 34 applications and invested £2,203,568 in marketing campaigns, involving more than 2,000 businesses across Scotland.

Due to significant demand, the current round is now closed for applications but will reopen again later this year.

From left: Alan Grant, golf marketing manager at VisitScotland; Allan Minto, golf tourism manager at East Lothian Council; Neil Hampton, general manager at Royal Dornoch Golf Club and a member of Highland Golf Links; and Stephen Owen, chairman of Fife...