Business

North to host 21st National Golf Tourism Conference and Gala Irish Golf Awards

Denis Kane (The Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association) Leigh Heggarty (Business development manager, Galgorm Resort & Spa) John McGrillen (Chief executive, Tourism NI) Wilma Erskine (Secretary manager, Royal Portrush Golf Club) and David Hudson (Vice chairman, The Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association)
Denis Kane (The Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association) Leigh Heggarty (Business development manager, Galgorm Resort & Spa) John McGrillen (Chief executive, Tourism NI) Wilma Erskine (Secretary manager, Royal Portrush Golf Club) and David Hudson (Vice Denis Kane (The Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association) Leigh Heggarty (Business development manager, Galgorm Resort & Spa) John McGrillen (Chief executive, Tourism NI) Wilma Erskine (Secretary manager, Royal Portrush Golf Club) and David Hudson (Vice chairman, The Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association)

THE award-winning Galgorm Resort & Spa in Ballymena will be the venue for the 21st National Golf Tourism Conference and 2018 Gala Irish Golf Awards next month.

The two-day event is the highlight of the Irish golf tourism calendar and brings together golf tour operators, golf club managers, golf resorts and industry professionals from across the Island of Ireland offering networking opportunities alongside an educational programme and interactive and engaging activities.

Tourism NI chief executive, John McGrillen said:

“Golf tourism is worth almost £40m per year to the local economy; an increase of 44 per cent since 2013. In 2017 alone, more than 120,000 golfers visited Northern Ireland and they spent over £2,000 on average per trip. This represents a high level of visitor spend and it is important that we ensure this spending power is dispersed throughout the visitor economy.

"By hosting such an event, it gives us a great opportunity to promote our golfing products and establish good working relationships with a wide range of golf partners. With The 148th Open, Royal Portrush, one of the oldest and most international championships in professional golf returning to Northern Ireland for the first time in 68 years, it firmly establishes Northern Ireland as a world-leading golf destination.”

The 21st National Golf Tourism Conference will take place on Sunday, October 21 and the golf day at Royal Portrush Golf Club and Gala Irish Golf Awards will take place on Monday, October 22.