Joe Murphy, Fáilte Ireland; Xavier Medas, The Strandhill Golf Club; Karen Dunne, County Sligo Golf Club; Lynn McCool, Donegal Golf Club; Stephen Bell, Lough Eske Castle and Martin Donnelly, Fáilte Ireland.
Keith O’Neill, Enniscrone Golf Club; Gary Rigney, Glasson Lakehouse; Marie Richardson, Choice Hotel Goup; Dean Montgomery, Galway Bay Golf; Daniel O’Connor, Glasson Lakehouse and Martin Donnelly, Fáilte Ireland
Over 60 international golf tour operators from 15 countries have arrived in Sligo this week for the Ireland Golf Convention, hosted by Fáilte Ireland, in association with the IAGTO, to boost Ireland’s golf sector.
The convention marks the beginning of a week-long showcase of the North West’s world-class golf courses, accommodation, transport and hospitality. Delegates will explore this part of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and experience first-hand what it has to offer their clients.
The main focus of the event is a contracting workshop where over 80 Ireland based golf providers will meet with the international operators to try and secure future business with the aim of driving more high value golf tourists in the future. With 1,800 contracting opportunities available, the convention promises to be a significant driver of tourism business for Ireland’s golf tourism sector.
Following the convention, delegates will take part in two familiarisation trips to some of the Northwest’s most celebrated golf courses, further highlighting Ireland’s exceptional golfing landscape and tourism offering.
Martin Donnelly, Business Development Manager with Failte Ireland, commented: “The Ireland Golf Convention is a unique opportunity to showcase the very best of Irish golf to a global audience. With 60 international buyers and 80 Irish suppliers coming together in Sligo, we’re creating 1,800 chances to build lasting partnerships and grow Ireland’s reputation as a world-class golf destination. The familiarisation trips through the Northwest will highlight the exceptional quality and hospitality that make Irish golf truly unforgettable.
“The golf tourism sector is worth over €300 million to the economy each year and golf visitors to Ireland spend over two and a half times the average leisure visitor, making these golfers highly sought after clients for Ireland. As Ireland prepares to host the Ryder Cup in September 2027, we intend to convert all the positive publicity Ireland will receive from now, until 2027, into real business opportunities. We look forward to hosting these important tour operators and their clients in future years.”
