Press release -
The Ryder Cup - A game changer for Scotland
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland has called The 2014 Ryder Cup a “game changer” for Scotland.
Following the excitement of The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles Mr Cantlay said:
“Scotland has proved it is the perfect stage for events in the world.
The Ryder Cup and the Commonwealth Games have been winners for Scottish tourism, putting Scotland on the map like never before and building a confidence that will affect tourism businesses for ever.
Scotland, as a nation, has delivered. Our events prowess is now firmly established and we now need to work together to ensure that we use this success to convert these new Scotland fans into visitors to the country. We have to see 2014 as the launchpad for success in 2015 and beyond, and we have to continue to showcase Scotland through our marketing and events to ensure we keep this momentum going.
Scotland has shown through the Commonwealth Games and The Ryder Cup that we can win any global sporting, business or cultural event and that we have the infrastructure, security and event management capability to host everything from the smallest conference to a world class sporting spectacle.
We have used 2014 to showcase our landscapes, vibrant towns and fantastic food and drink, but visitors here are all talking about one thing and that is the Scottish people. It is one of the top reasons why people come to Scotland and those visitors have not been disappointed. Our international visitors have been fantastic guests and we look forward to welcoming them back again.
Our American friends have been especially gracious about the result and we know that they will return soon to Scotland. After this week, more Americans than ever see Scotland as the Home of Golf and increasingly, their home from home. So haste ye back and Scotland will welcome the world again soon.”
KEY FACTS:
- Scotland attracts 220,000 golf visitors to Scotland every year, while 92,000 other visitors play golf while on holiday.
- VisitScotland has developed a worldwide two million pound marketing campaign which will reinforce Scotland’s position as the Home of Golf.
- It is estimated that 5000 people have been employed on projects directly related to The Ryder Cup 2014 event with many more benefiting tHrough the supply chain.
- It is estimated that the stunning images being beamed out across the world showcasing Scotland are the equivalent of £40m in direct marketing benefit.
For further information contact:
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Jack Gorman Corporate Press Officer Tel: 0131 472 2283 Out of hours media enquiries: 07699 766986 Or David Connor Golf PR Manager (2014 Ryder Cup) VisitScotland/EventScotland DD: +44 (0)131 472 2063 Mob: +44 (0)7794 046 295 |
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- ryder cup
- corporate communications
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors:
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation has three key roles:
- To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
- To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
- To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations
- VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- 2014 is the year Scotland welcomes the world, when it hosts the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and more than 800 Homecoming events throughout the country.For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2014, go to www.visitscotland.com
- The VisitScotland Information Centre network is a unique face-to-face channel engaging with around five million visitors and locals each year. Everyone who uses a VisitScotland Information Centre goes on to spend an additional £5.35, generating over £24 million for Scotland’s economy.
- According to a recent Deloitte study, tourism employs 270,000 people in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the industry contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
- For more information on VisitScotland’s annual review please go to www.visitscotland.org/about_us/our_focus/annual_report.aspx
