This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Refurbished hotel ready for Open at Troon
05/07/2004
Growth in the country's tourism sector plays an
essential part in growing the Scottish economy, and
businesses in the tourism industry are in a good position
to grow steadily and strongly in years to come, according
to Frank McAveety.
Speaking to local business people during a day-long
visit to Ayrshire, the Tourism Minister emphasised that
tourism is one of Scotland's biggest sectors with real long
term growth prospects based on good results over the past
two years.
Mr McAveety was in Troon to open the refurbished Marine
Hotel, a £3 million privately-funded investment to add 16
extra bedrooms and renovate the entire hotel interior in
time for this year's Open Golf Championship.
He said:
"We see growth in tourism and major events as an
important part of growing the Scottish economy. The last
two years have been very encouraging, and we believe
tourism has the potential to grow by 50 per cent by 2015.
That is why we have announced a 28 per cent increase in
VisitScotland's marketing budget, and an extra £3 million
for their quality assurance schemes to help underpin that
growth, alongside the work being done for us by
EventScotland to make Scotland one of the world's foremost
events destinations by 2015.
"But it is more and more tourism businesses themselves
investing in their future which will achieve our ambitions
for long term growth. So I am delighted to be here today
to celebrate the Marine Hotel's commitment to growth and to
the quality so clearly evident in the excellent facilities
being opened here."
In July 2004, the Royal Troon course will be staging the
UK Open Golf Championship for the seventh time in its
history, and the Marine Hotel will be host hotel for this
year's championship. It will be used as the headquarters
of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club during the Open and
most of the main competitors will be staying there.
The original Marine Hotel was opened in 1897. In 1913,
the hotel became part of the company now know as Scottish
Highland Hotels. It was awarded four stars from the AA in
1912 and it is the only Hotel in Scotland which has
retained the same star rating to this day.