The 148th Open delivers more than
£100 million of economic benefit to
Northern Ireland
Pictured (L to R) John McGrillen, Chief Executive Tourism NI and Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A
The 148th Open at Royal Portrush,
generated more than £100 million of
economic benefit for Northern Ireland,
according to an independent study
commissioned by The R&A and figures
released by Tourism Northern Ireland. Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A said, “The 148th
Open at Royal Portrush made history as the largest sporting
event ever to be held in Northern Ireland and generated a
substantial economic benefit. The return of the Championship
to Royal Portrush was eagerly anticipated and we enjoyed a
hugely memorable week where we welcomed tens of thousands
of spectators to an outstanding championship venue to witness
Shane Lowry lifting the Claret Jug.”
The Open, which returned to Northern Ireland for the first
time in 68 years delivered a total economic impact, new
money entering the economy, of £45 million according to the
study by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research
Centre (SIRC). John McGrillen, Chief Executive Tourism NI, said, “The 148th
Open at Royal Portrush was a ground breaking event for tourism
in Northern Ireland and its success further demonstrates
Northern Ireland’s ability to seamlessly deliver world class events
which have a very positive impact on the local economy.
Northern Ireland also gained £37.3 million in destination
marketing benefit from over 5,400 hours of global television
coverage. “Behind the scenes a huge partnership effort across
Government, Causeway Coast and Glens Council, PSNI,
Translink and Tourism NI delivered an unforgettable week for
players and spectators alike.”
The figures relate to the week of The Open and do not
include the additional economic benefit accrued in the years
following the Championship.
An additional £23.7 million has been identified by Tourism
Northern Ireland in Advertising Equivalent Value for Northern
Ireland Golf Tourism monitored in other media coverage
across the island of Ireland and internationally.
The SIRC study - which was commissioned by golf’s
governing body The R&A and supported by Tourism Northern
Ireland and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council - also
concluded that the Causeway Coast council area alone received
a £26.21 million injection of new money from The Open.
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David Jackson, Chief Executive, Causeway Coast and Glens
Borough Council said: “I am very proud of the role Causeway
Coast and Glens Borough Council played in The 148th Open,
and these figures confirm its hugely significant impact on our
economy. Visitors to The Open were able to enjoy the unrivalled
beauty of the Causeway Coast and the warm hospitality which
our destination is renowned for.”