National Golf Planning Meeting

The second Golf Planning Meeting was held in Edinburgh on Thursday 8th January. This strategy group comprises representatives from all the major public and private bodies involved in Scottish golf – EventScotland, GTS, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Golf Union, Scottish Tourism Forum, VisitScotland – and is THE main opportunity for all the organisations to come together, discuss ideas, share information and formulate a joint vision for golf in Scotland:-

1. VisitScotland

At the meeting it was confirmed that GTS Board members Lee Derrick and Fraser Cromarty will be hosting a Scotland golf day for invited agents and other guests prior to PGA Orlando later this month, the event being funded by VS. At GTS’s recommendation VisitScotland has also decided to dispense with the Expo golf event and has offered GTS the opportunity to devise a direct replacement or link the PGA Ambassador programme into the 2009 Annual Awards Dinner. More details to follow in due course. VS also confirmed its attendance at IGTM this year.

2. EventScotland

As part of the Ryder Cup 2014 bid the planning meeting partners can take advantage of promotional and hospitality opportunities at various tournaments this year. The final programme of available events should be available by the end of January, and we will update members at that time.

3. International & UK Brand Plans from VS

The full international plan should be available for review by end of January, but obviously the main thrust is Drive It Home, officially launched today. VS is still actively looking for trade offers and a message to this effect has been circulated to GTS members and is on the blog. GTS has co-branding on the DIH website alongside VS, EventScotland and the SGU etc.

Domestically VS has been spending some time researching and segmenting the home market. Main targets groups will be golfing societies within the UK via offer-led promotions and the encouragement to golfing groups within Scotland to incorporate overnight stays into their trips, rather than just undertake day excursions.

4. Scottish Golf Union

The SGU has requested that information from the GTS-led Golf Tourism Monitor be included in their proposed golf club roadshows throughout February. This provide an opportunity for GTS to reinforce the importance of ongoing data collection, to point out the benefits and proper use of data and may possibly encourage new participants to sign up. The SGU has also expressed interest in collaborating in future GTS forums.

5. Scottish Tourism Forum

As part of GTS’s ongoing review of its relationship with the wider tourism industry through the Scottish Tourism Forum, Iain Herbert of STF was more than happy to publicise future GTS activity throughout Tourism Week in early March. See the STF website for full details of TW.