Donegal Golfing Gems to be showcased to top Golfing Journalists
A group of international golfing media from the US, Canada, Denmark, France Italy, Germany and Italy are this week playing some of Donegal’s top golf courses on the Wild Atlantic Way, ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open which takes place in Ballyliffin Golf Club from 4-8 July.
The trip, organised by Fáilte Ireland, will allow the journalists to enjoy a showcase of some of the best courses in the North West along the Wild Atlantic Way, including Rosapenna Sandy Hills golf course and Portsalon Golf Club, Old Links Ballyliffin before teeing off at Glashedy Links Ballyliffin, venue for this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
Included in the visiting golfing media, are representatives from US Golf Magazine, the world's most widely read golf publication, online outlets such as Augusta.com and Global Golf Post, USA, as well as representatives from leading newspapers, the Toronto Star, Canada, Denmark’s Golfbladet and Italian magazine, Golf & Turismo, radio station, Golfnews.Net and their The 19th Hole Show.
Explaining the importance of such media trips, Alex Connolly, Head of Communications & International Publicity with Fáilte Ireland, said:
“Golf plays a big part in Irish tourism and we welcome the opportunity to showcase some of Donegal’s top courses to these ‘heavy hitters’ media. We know we can provide world class golfing, great value for money and fantastic holiday experiences to our international visitors with more than 400 golf courses throughout Ireland, many providing a great showcase for our spectacular scenic landscapes.
“It’s also important to note that these high yield visitors spend almost 80% of their money on non-golf activities such as accommodation, hospitality, transport and other activities.
“We very much believe that golf can deliver increasing numbers of tourists into Ireland and we can ensure this happens through trips such as this which help develop relationships with influential golfing media in key markets such around the world. “
Golf tourism is an extremely lucrative sector for Ireland with golfers being amongst the highest yielding visitors to Ireland. Over 200,000 overseas visitors take part in golf during their visit to Ireland every year, contributing almost €270 million to the economy and driving over 1.7 million bed nights right across the country.
John Farren, General Manager, Ballyliffin Golf Club, was delighted to welcome Fáilte Ireland and the International Golf journalist group ahead of the 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
Mr Farren commented: “This event will bring the focus of international media attention to Donegal and the North West Region for the first time in the history of the event. We anticipate almost 100,000 visitors over the course of the week and with pictures being broadcast to 500,000 homes worldwide this is a huge opportunity to showcase our world class links course and the stunning scenery of Donegal. The 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is now a premier event in world sport and we look forward to welcoming the best golfers in the world to the challenge of Glashedy Links July 4-8th 2018.
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