Highlands to reap benefits following Golf Tourism Week

The Highlands is still basking in the success of Scottish Golf Tourism Week and preparing to reap benefits for “generations to come”.

Inverness hosted the prestigious event for the first time last month.

It has been predicted the event, created with VisitScotland in partnership with The Press and Journal, will lead to a golfing boom for the area.

According to VisitScotland, the North American market is particularly interested, due to an increase in groups who are travelling with non-players.

The rewards can be significant. Figures from 2017 show overseas golfing visitors spend on average £338 per night, more than four times the daily spend of an average Scottish visitor (£78.90).

Rona Wallace, senior manager for business growth and development at VisitScotland, said: “Scotland is a massive draw for international golfers.

“And events such as Scottish Golf Tourism Week are an opportunity to spread the benefits across the regions.”

She said links courses are a particular draw for golfers from key international markets.

“Combine that with the region’s whisky heritage, which is hugely popular with the market, and you have a package that engages with golf tour operators and can help drive international visitors to the region.”

Don Johnstone, CEO of Visit Inverness Loch Ness, says there will be “undoubtable” long-term benefit for the region from Scottish Golf Tourism Week.

“Aside from the £3 million of economic benefit estimated over the next three years, the exposure garnered during the event will help cement the region as a premier golfing destination on the worldwide stage for generations to come.”

Ann Liddle, event sales manager for DC Thomson, said feedback from Scottish Golf Tourism Week has been “incredible”.

She added: “The average time between booking a golf trip and travel is between 13-18 months.

“So the biggest impact will be seen next summer and the years following that.”

Many believe more hotel rooms and tee times are needed for visiting golfers in peak times.

Ensuring international flights are maintained or increased is also a priority.

Craig Ewan, vicechairman of the Highland Hotels Association, said: “One of the challenges is availability in our peak season.

“However, maybe we should be looking at making more availability for this sector as these golfers are very discerning travellers who clearly do not come to the Highlands to window shop.”

Mr Ewan, operations director at the Kingsmills Hotel Group, said there is an opportunity to extend the tourist season from March to the end of October.

“Ensuring we have the double daily flights from Heathrow would help this.

“The link to Schiphol is another great link which I believe is still underutilised in terms of connections to the US.”

Increasing playing capacity on high-profile courses like Royal Dornoch, Nairn and Cabot Highlands will be difficult.

But new attractions, including the Old Petty course being built at Cabot Highlands, and the planned but controversial Coul Links, could help.

DRIVING PROFITS: Golfers visiting courses such as Nairn could generate millions of pounds for the local economy.