09/10/2023

Golf Ireland Convention Returns To NI

Golf Ireland Convention returned to Northern Ireland for the first time in four years to hear about the plans to further enhance the golf tourism sector ahead of the 153rd Open.

In the build up to The Open that will return to Royal Portrush in 2025, 40 international buyers from key golf markets such as North America, Great Britain, Europe and Asia were welcomed to the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle, County Down, before travelling to the North West for the official convention at the Ebrington Hotel.

In total, 80 golf providers including hotels, golf courses, transport providers and experiences took part in one-to-one appointments and a range of networking opportunities. The buyers also had the opportunity to play at a range of golf courses.

According to the Tourism NI report 'Golf Tourism in Northern Ireland: How the pandemic and recovery has impacted visitor golf' published in June, bookings made through tour operators last year were up 77 per cent on 2019 and the overall number of tee times booked by visitors was 30 per cent higher than pre-Covid levels.

Tourism NI Director of Events, Áine Kearney, said: "Golf tourism plays a crucial role in the overall reputation of Northern Ireland as a tourism destination on the global stage. Since successfully hosting The Open in 2019, visitors’ bookings have continued to rise at our golf clubs and are now 30% higher than pre-pandemic levels.

"In global terms, visitor green fee revenue increased by 153% in 2022 compared to 2019, with the vast majority of bookings coming through tour operators. With Royal Portrush set to host The 153rd Open in 2025, and the return of the Horizon Irish Open to Royal County Down next year, we are delighted to host the Golf Ireland Convention and showcase all that Northern Ireland has to offer to these important golf tour operators."

The tour operators are also planning for the Horizon Irish Open to return to Royal County Down in 2024.

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 April 2012
Giant's Causeway Centre 'On Track'
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has visited the construction site of the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre and said that the project is on track to open this summer. The new Centre, located at the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site is an integral part of the Causeway Coast and Glens Signature Project.
22 September 2006
NI tourist board target golfers
To coincide with the Ryder Cup at the K Club in County Kildare, Tourism Minister, Maria Eagle, has launched a new ‘Golf Northern Ireland’ brochure in a bid to entice participants to visit some of Northern Ireland's top golf courses.
16 June 2014
Open Returns To NI
The Open golf competition is to return to Northern Ireland in 2019, it has been confirmed. The Royal Portrush Golf Club is to host the sport's oldest competiton for the first time since it was last hosted at the venue in 1951.
28 July 2008
International Blind Golf Championships Set For Belfast
A surprising sport is coming to Northern Ireland - blind golfing. Belfast's Belvoir Park Golf Club will host the World Blind Golf Championships from 10 - 12 August. With one of the 'driving forces' behind the Championships being Comber's Jan Dinsdale - one of the top lady blind golfers in the world - the initiative is all the more appropriate.
17 February 2015
Golf Fans Urged To Book Open Tickets
Northern Ireland golfing fans are being urged to make sure they book tickets for this year's Irish Open at Royal County Down, with just 100 days to go.