Golf Tourism Alliance seeks to provide multi-million

A new public and private partnership has been formed with the aim of adding £30million to the value of golf tourism in the north-east by 2020.

The main objective of the Golf Tourism Alliance is to boost the number of visitors to Aberdeen City and Shire to play the wide range of golf facilities available in the area.

The alliance has established an interim executive group with representatives of the Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Partnership (ATP), golf clubs, accommodation providers, golf tour operators and the public sector from the City and Shire.

Elaine Booth, from ATP, said: “We want Aberdeen City and Shire to be seen as the serious golfing destination we know it to be and maximise the growth potential we have to offer.”

“The formation of the alliance will allow the private and public sectors to promote working together on joint business development, with the aim of attracting more golfing visitors to the area.”

The Golf Tourism Alliance has been created following findings from the ‘Future of Golf for Aberdeen City and Shire’ report published earlier this year that highlighted the potential to boost visitor spending from £20million to over £50million by 2020. 

To help drive the alliance forward, a Golf Tourism Development Executive has been appointed. The contract will be led by Hector Emslie of Golfers Scotland and his Banchory-based team, Christine Halliday and Andrew Shinie.

The two year part time role has been financially supported by Visit Aberdeen, Scottish Enterprise, Aberdeenshire Council and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Hector Emslie said: “The north-east offers a magnificent range of value for money courses as well as the best links golf in the world.

“There is an ever-increasing demand for golf from visitors from all over the UK and overseas so we look forward to offering a range of golf packages; value added breaks and benefits to visiting golfers and club members alike.

“Our aim is to make Aberdeen City and Shire the first choice golf destination of the future.”