‘Open will rake in £90m for NI’:Council director

That was the message from a Director of the new Causeway Coast and Glens Council.

Leisure and Development Director Richard Baker was addressing committee members last week about the benefits of golf tourism to the new council area.

“Tourism Northern Ireland recently launched the Tourism Golf Strategy (2015-2020) designed to

support the golf sector contribute to the wider tourism vision of a £1 billion industry in Northern

Ireland by 2020. Golf Tourism is currently valued at £33 million in Northern Ireland and there are real opportunities to further grow this,” said Mr Baker.

He went on to add that the Irish Open resulted in a £30 million boost to the Northern Ireland economy and the Open could potentially result in economic benefit of up to £90 million.

“Hosting The Open Championship will be one of the largest global sporting events that Northern

Ireland will have staged,” he added.

“With The Open returning to Northern Ireland after such a long absence and Rory McIlroy playing in his home country, it is fair to assume that the level of interest will be significantly greater than normal, with the potential for significantly higher levels of spectator numbers and media coverage.”