GOLF tourism is on the up, according to a new study, which revealed that a record number of tourists attended the 147th Open at Carnoustie last July, generating £120 million for the Scottish economy.
The research, which was commissioned by golf’s governing body, The R&A, along with VisitScotland and Angus Council, concluded that the 2018 Open delivered a £69m boost – including a £21m cash injection for the Angus area alone. Scotland is also said to have benefitted from £51m in destination marketing activity.
The tournament, played at Carnoustie for the first time since 2007, surpassed the previous attendance record of 157,000 set in 1999.
Nearly half of the 172,000 fans in attendance last July came from outside Scotland – and 84.8% from outwith Angus, according to the study.
Additionally, a review of Scotland’s National Tourism Golf Strategy has upped the target value of golf tourism from £300m by 2020 to £325m following “a strong period of growth”.
