This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Tee off for golf tourism at Troon
15/07/2004
The massive global audience for this week's Open Golf
Championship at Troon is expected to provide an ideal
opportunity to showcase Scotland to the world.
Over the course of the four days of the event, images of
Scotland will be broadcast to around half a billion homes
across the world. This is the third largest TV audience for
a sporting event this year, after the Olympics and Euro
2004.
First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"Having the most famous of all of golf's championships
here in Troon is a fantastic opportunity to show to the
world exactly what Scotland has to offer.
"Over the next few days we have hundreds of
international journalists and tens of thousands of tourists
in our country. They can be our ambassadors. They can go
back to their own country and say that the modern Scotland
is a place not just worth a visit, but is a place to live,
work, or study.
"There are many reasons why Scotland is well known and
much loved across the world, with golf being one of the
most important. If we are to continue to grow our economy,
and be a modern, dynamic nation we must celebrate these
reasons and use them to promote ourselves to the
world.
"This weekend the eyes of the world are watching us. I'm
sure that they will love what they see."
The Open at Troon forms part of VisitScotland's overall
marketing campaign. This includes tactical advertising in
golfing magazines, brochures, websites and publications in
key North American, German, French, and Scandinavian
markets.
Additionally, Sam Torrance has been announced as
VisitScotland's new global golf ambassador, as part of
VisitScotland's drive for the Ryder Cup 2014.
Throughout the whole tournament awareness will be raised
by the VisitScotland staff, providing answers to all
consumer questions regarding golf in Scotland, and Scotland
in general at the VisitScotland stand. Their new and
comprehensive golf brochures and CD ROM's will be
available.
VisitScotland
will also host a large press conference on Friday to answer
questions and promote Scotland to a global audience.