Elevate Golf, a new event organized by industry veteran Tom Lovering, is set to bring together up to 50 high-quality international tour operators with over 100 suppliers in the golf industry. The event, scheduled to take place at the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews in October, has already attracted top suppliers such as Royal Birkdale, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Muirfield, and Royal Portrush, as well as renowned tour operators like Perry Golf, Premier Golf, and Haversham and Baker.
According to Lovering, these international tour operators and their North American clients contribute around £500 million in economic impact to the UK and Ireland each year. He emphasized that high-end clients from overseas tend to spend significantly more than domestic travelers, staying for longer periods of time and indulging in luxury accommodations, dining, and other services. This makes them a lucrative market for the economy and tourism industry.
The event will be hosted by Sky Sports television presenter Di Stewart, with renowned hotelier Sir Rocco Forte as the guest of honor at the gala dinner. Sir Rocco, who founded his hotel business in 1996 and now owns 14 individual hotels and resorts worldwide, including The Balmoral in Edinburgh, expressed his excitement to participate in Elevate Golf. Stewart highlighted the rich heritage and history of golf venues in the UK and Ireland, making them quintessential destinations for golf enthusiasts around the world.
Elevate Golf aims to showcase the world-class products and services offered by suppliers and golf courses in the UK and Ireland, solidifying their status as top golf destinations. The event will provide a platform for high-quality suppliers and tour operators to engage in bespoke, value-added face-to-face meetings, fostering partnerships and driving international visitors to the breathtaking courses and hotels in the region.
Sarah Linton, the associate director of sales at the Old Course Hotel, emphasized the team’s readiness to host the event and create an energetic atmosphere for industry professionals to network, exchange ideas, and contribute to the advancement of golf tourism in the UK and Ireland. This inaugural event promises to kickstart an exciting new project that will benefit both suppliers and tour operators in the golf industry, ultimately leading to increased international visitation to the region’s golfing destinations.
In conclusion, Elevate Golf is poised to become a premier platform for industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and drive growth in the golf tourism sector in the UK and Ireland. With a lineup of top suppliers, tour operators, and industry leaders, the event aims to elevate the reputation of the region as a world-class golf destination and attract more international visitors to its renowned courses and accommodations. This initiative spearheaded by Tom Lovering and his team holds great promise for the industry and is set to make a significant impact on the economy and tourism landscape in the UK and Ireland.
