Golf tourism operators at the PGA Golf Show in Orlando got a huge boost when Graeme McDowell stopped off at the Ireland stand, to lend his support for Tourism Ireland’s 2011 marketing drive and to do his bit to help return tourism to growth this year.
Tourism Ireland is undertaking a busy promotional programme throughout 2011 to boost the number of golf visitors from the US and other important markets overseas.
High profile golf events, like the 2011 Solheim Cup which takes place on the Nicklaus course at Killeen Castle in Co Meath, and the Irish Open in Killarney this summer, are being used as ‘hooks’ to draw attention to our world-class golf. Tourism Ireland is urging golf fans attending these events to extend their trip and to try out some of the other fantastic courses that the island of Ireland has to offer.
Tourism Ireland golf promotions in the all-important US market include ads on the popular Golf Channel, online on golfchannel.com, and in Golfweek magazine. As well as the PGA show in Orlando, Tourism Ireland will also attend the PGA Barclays tournament at Plainfield Country Club in New Jersey in August; and will invite key American golf media contacts to an Ireland reception at the Masters in Augusta later this year.
Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland’s chief executive, said: “The Solheim Cup takes place in Killeen Castle in Co Meath in September of this year and Tourism Ireland will be exploiting all potential promotional opportunities in the US and other important golf markets overseas, to capitalise on the potential of this prestigious sporting event. The Solheim Cup is a great opportunity to keep Ireland in the spotlight, highlighting the island as a top golf destination.”
Golf will also be promoted by Tourism Ireland in other overseas markets, including Great Britain, Germany and Sweden.
