Wales' Ryder Cup legacy

Paul Dancey on 11/04/2012

Figures released by the Welsh Government show the value of golf tourism to the economy has increased from £23 million to more than £38 million over the last eight years, with the year on year increase peaking at £41.9 million in 2010, the year of the Ryder Cup in Newport.

Business Minister Edwina Hart said: "the figures illustrated the success of the Welsh Government's concerted marketing campaign leading up to Ryder Cup year in 2010.

"Last year Wales attracted 189,300 golf visitors to Wales - the second highest figure of the monitored period which means we are witnessing a continuing legacy from the Ryder Cup.

"There is no doubt the ability to host the Ryder Cup and the associated marketing campaign has raised the profile of Wales tremendously as a key golf destination and I am pleased to see this global promotion is bringing real economic benefits to Wales.

"The increase in visitor numbers and spend is all the more significant given it was achieved during a period of extremely difficult trading conditions."

Last year Wales attracted 189,300 golf visitors generating £38.4m expenditure. The average length of stay was 3.8 days with individuals spending on average £469 per person, per trip – an increase of almost 10% when compared with 2010 and a 17% increase over 2009.

Dan Clayton Jones, Chair of the Welsh Government Tourism Advisory panel, said golf tourism attracted high spending visitors and Wales was now firmly established as a strong stand alone golf destination of choice.

"The results for last year are encouraging and it is good to see, post Ryder Cup, that Wales remains an attractive, welcoming, value for money golf destination for players of all abilities. It's also excellent news to see that whether golfers have travelled to Wales from the UK, Europe or further afield they are recording high satisfaction levels.

"We will continue to work with the Welsh golf industry to look at ways of increasing the proportion of visitors that stay overnight and Visit Wales will continue to work with golf clubs and the golf clusters to further develop their marketing activities, build on the increased awareness of golf in Wales and increase the use of online booking to attract overseas visitors."

Source: Welsh Government

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