
Tourism chiefs in NI confident of another swift return of the Open
The 153rd Open at Portrush was the second-best attended event in the championship's long history.
Aine Kearney at Royal Portrush Golf Club during the Open (Tourism NI/PA)
When the Open came to Northern Ireland in 2019 after an almost 70-year absence, tournament organisers, the R&A, committed to staging it at Royal Portrush at least two more times.
There was surprise at how soon the sporting showpiece then returned, especially as the event skipped a year because of the pandemic in 2020.
Tourism NI is now hopeful that there will be a similar timeline for the next staging of the major championship on the region's scenic north coast.
The tourism promotion body's director of events Aine Kearney said the R&A's feedback on last week's event had been overwhelmingly positive.
'We've had really positive engagement with senior people in the R&A and they just told us how well it's gone,' she said.
'And we hope that puts us in a really good place in terms of them coming back as quickly as they did after 2019.'
She added: 'It's been an outstanding success. And I think that's something that's been echoed by the R&A, we've heard the same from the golfers, we've heard the same from all the visitors that have come to experience not only the golf but also the destination.
'The feedback has been absolutely fabulous in terms of how successful it's been, and how much we've been able to shine a light on Northern Ireland as a fabulous destination.'
After the 2019 Open in Portrush, revenue generated by golf tourism in Northern Ireland has jumped by 66% to £86 million per annum. Ms Kearney said there was hope the trade would see a similar 'bounce' on the back of this year's event.
'What we do know is that there were a lot of people playing golf while they were here (for the Open),' she said.
'The reports we have from all of our golf clubs is that their tee time sales this week were absolutely unbelievable and that puts them in a really good position, not only from the income they got from that to be able to continue to invest in their product, but also the advocacy that will come from the people that played.'
She added: 'Hopefully, from that advocacy and the 100 million viewers across 190 countries that saw not only the world's best golfers playing, but also the magic of the landscape and the destination … we hopefully will look to see a similar increase to what we saw on the back of 2019, that was a 66% increase to £86 million.
'If we get that similar bounce again, we'll be very, very happy.'
Ms Kearney said her overriding emotion following the tournament was 'pride'.
'It's absolute pride in terms of how we turned up as a destination, how we showed the world just what an amazing place this is to live, to visit and invest,' she said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip
The US president is expected to arrive at Prestwick Airport in the evening, before heading over to his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire. He is then expected to head over to his Menie golf course in Aberdeenshire before opening up a new course dedicated to his Scottish mother, who grew up on the Isle of Lewis. He will leave the country at some point on Tuesday. Donald Trump last visited Turnberry in 2023 (Andrew Milligan/PA) His presence will result in a significant operation from Police Scotland and thousands of officers, who are expected to deal with mass protests around his golf courses and major Scottish cities. Mr Trump will be greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray when he lands, with the minister pledging to give the American leader a 'warm welcome'. He will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his stay when the pair will discuss the UK-US trade deal. The US president will also meet with First Minister John Swinney. The SNP leader previously said he would have the opportunity to raise various issues with Mr Trump, including tariffs, Gaza and Ukraine. Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer will meet during the president's trip to Scotland (Suzanne Plunkett/PA) Speaking ahead of his arrival, Mr Swinney said the global attention the visit will receive provides Scotland with an opportunity to respectfully demonstrate the principles of freedom and justice for all, while also promoting Scotland's tourism sector and economic investment potential. He said: 'Scotland shares a strong friendship with the United States that goes back centuries. 'That partnership remains steadfast through economic, cultural and ancestral links – including of course, with the President himself. 'As we welcome the President of the United States, Scotland will be showcased on the world stage. 'This provides Scotland with a platform to make its voice heard on the issues that matter, including war and peace, justice and democracy. 'It also includes the millions of Americans – many of them potential future tourists or investors in Scotland – who will watch their elected President as he visits our country. 'As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. 'That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.' First Minister John Swinney will meet Donald Trump during his visit to Scotland (Steve Welsh/PA) The SNP leader said Scotland is a 'proud democratic nation' that 'stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, and a society that stands up for a fair and just world'. Ahead of protests expected around Scotland, he said people had a right to 'peaceful demonstration', adding that 'everyone has the democratic right to protect and express their views in a peaceful, and democratic manner'. 'That is right and proper,' he added. 'I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully. 'I am also confident that Scotland's police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US President requires. 'This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.'

South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Rachel Reeves to pledge £66m for key Scottish transport projects
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray meanwhile said the money would make a 'real difference to people's daily lives'. The money will go towards projects linked to new investment zones and advanced manufacturing sites supported by the UK Government in Scotland. Three key transport schemes are to benefit, with plans to create direct links between these new economic hubs and local towns in the west of the Scotland. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the funding would make a 'real difference to people's daily lives' (PA) The largest chunk of cash – some £38.7 million – will go to Renfrewshire Council to help link Paisley town centre with both Glasgow Airport and the nearby Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS). As part of this new walking, cycling, bus and car links will be built, allowing local people to benefit from the growth of high value manufacturing in Renfrewshire. Another £23.7 million will go to North Ayrshire Council to upgrade the B714 road, allowing faster travel between the towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston and Glasgow, and cutting traffic in Kilwinning. It comes after the Chancellor pledged to find the cash for this work in last month's spending review. In addition the Scottish Government is being given an extra £3.45 million to suggest ways in which the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway can be upgraded. The road there links the port in Cairnryan – where ferries sail to Northern Ireland – with the rest of the UK, and as a result is seen as being vital for both transport connections and the economy. Ms Reeves, who is due to visit Paisley on Friday, said the UK Government was 'pledging billions to back Scottish jobs, industry and renewal'. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will visit Paisley on Friday (PA) She added: 'That's why we're investing in the major transport projects, including exploring upgrades to the A75, that local communities have been calling for. 'Whilst previous governments oversaw over a decade of decline of our transport infrastructure, we're investing in Britain's renewal. 'This £66 million investment is exactly what our Plan for Change is about, investing in what matters to you in the places that you live.' Welcoming the cash Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: 'This £66 million investment in Scotland's roads demonstrates the UK Government's commitment to improving infrastructure and driving economic growth in all parts of the UK as part of our Plan for Change. 'This investment will make a real difference to people's daily lives and to the local economies of the south of Scotland, Ayrshire and Renfrewshire.' Mr Murray continued: 'New road links will connect Paisley town centre with Glasgow Airport and the new advanced manufacturing innovation district, to boost high value manufacturing in Renfrewshire. 'The upgrade to the B714 will speed up journeys between Glasgow and the three towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston, as well as cutting traffic in Kilwinning. 'And the A75 is strategically important just not within but beyond Scotland. Its upgrading is long overdue. I am pleased that the UK Government has stepped up to fund the delivery of the A75 feasibility study in full.' Mr Murray said: 'This investment is yet another example of how the UK Government is building the foundations for a stronger, more prosperous future that benefits communities right across Scotland.'


Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip
The US president is expected to arrive at Prestwick Airport in the evening, before heading over to his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire. He is then expected to head over to his Menie golf course in Aberdeenshire before opening up a new course dedicated to his Scottish mother, who grew up on the Isle of Lewis. He will leave the country at some point on Tuesday. Donald Trump last visited Turnberry in 2023 (Andrew Milligan/PA) His presence will result in a significant operation from Police Scotland and thousands of officers, who are expected to deal with mass protests around his golf courses and major Scottish cities. Mr Trump will be greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray when he lands, with the minister pledging to give the American leader a 'warm welcome'. He will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his stay when the pair will discuss the UK-US trade deal. The US president will also meet with First Minister John Swinney. The SNP leader previously said he would have the opportunity to raise various issues with Mr Trump, including tariffs, Gaza and Ukraine. Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer will meet during the president's trip to Scotland (Suzanne Plunkett/PA) Speaking ahead of his arrival, Mr Swinney said the global attention the visit will receive provides Scotland with an opportunity to respectfully demonstrate the principles of freedom and justice for all, while also promoting Scotland's tourism sector and economic investment potential. He said: 'Scotland shares a strong friendship with the United States that goes back centuries. 'That partnership remains steadfast through economic, cultural and ancestral links – including of course, with the President himself. 'As we welcome the President of the United States, Scotland will be showcased on the world stage. 'This provides Scotland with a platform to make its voice heard on the issues that matter, including war and peace, justice and democracy. 'It also includes the millions of Americans – many of them potential future tourists or investors in Scotland – who will watch their elected President as he visits our country. 'As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. 'That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.' First Minister John Swinney will meet Donald Trump during his visit to Scotland (Steve Welsh/PA) The SNP leader said Scotland is a 'proud democratic nation' that 'stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, and a society that stands up for a fair and just world'. Ahead of protests expected around Scotland, he said people had a right to 'peaceful demonstration', adding that 'everyone has the democratic right to protect and express their views in a peaceful, and democratic manner'. 'That is right and proper,' he added. 'I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully. 'I am also confident that Scotland's police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US President requires. 'This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.'