Press Release

North-east golf in spotlight at world's biggest golf show

Golf in Aberdeen City and Shire will be showcased to an international audience this week (17th-19th January inclusive) as representatives from Golf Aberdeen City and Shire head for Orlando, USA, to the 2008 PGA Merchandise Show – the biggest golf trade show in the world.
The group is attending the 55th annual event as part of an initiative led by industry within Aberdeen City and Shire. The event, ‘steeped in tradition and overflowing with innovation’, will see some of the biggest names in golf gathered under one roof, from TaylorMade Golf and Callaway Golf to Nike Golf and Adidas, as well as some 400 companies new to the show.
With over 1,200 leading exhibitors covering some ten square miles of floor space featuring interactive exhibits, demonstrations and special events, the PGA Merchandise show presents an ideal environment in which to promote golf tourism in Scotland and the North East.
Speaking ahead of the event, Dennis McFarlane, Business Relationship and Marketing Manager for VisitScotland Aberdeen and Grampian, said:
“Together with colleagues from Scottish Enterprise Grampian and Murcar Links Golf Course, I’ll be representing Golf Aberdeen City and Shire, an industry-led partnership involving VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise Grampian. Our priority will be making contact with golf tour operators and developing relationships which will encourage them to include the North East of Scotland in their network of golfing destinations. It will be a key platform from which to gain insights into the latest golf tourism trends, and we’ll also be using the opportunity to promote the range of fantastic golf courses in this area.“
Lorna Duguid, competitive business manager at Scottish Enterprise Grampian, said: "We are working to diversify the economy in Aberdeen City and Shire to help make sure our region continues to prosper well into the future. Golf tourism is worth around £15million to the north-east economy every year and for every £1 spent on green fees, a further £5 is spent elsewhere on other goods and services. We believe the sector has huge potential to expand in future, helped by new routes planned for Aberdeen Airport and an increase in luxury accommodation on offer to visitors.''