Travel News February 2019
Star studded Gala starts countdown to The Open
I
T MAY still be some six months away, but The 148th Open at Royal Portrush is already a sell out! Tourism NI marked the start of the offi cial build up to The 148th Open with a celebration of Northern Ireland talent from across the worlds of sport, music, media, television and the arts.
Hosted by Stephen Watson and Claire McCollum, the theme of the event was ‘We’ve Come a Long Way’ and included the unveiling of a short fi lm by award winning director and producer Martin Stalker. The fi lm, which will be distributed widely across key tourism markets, was set to an original poem by local poet Paula Matthews, and narrated by leading actors Ian McElhinney, Bronagh Waugh, Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Shaun Blaney and accompanied by an original score composed and performed by Belfast-born virtuoso pianist Michael McHale.
A sporting panel included record-breaking champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy OBE and four-time Superbike World Champion, Jonathan Rea MBE, who shared their experiences of competing at the top of their profession and representing Northern Ireland on the world stage.
Also interviewed was legendary golfi ng commentator Peter Alliss. Voices of support from global golfi ng icons including Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke, as well as up-and-coming golfi ng stars Stephanie Meadow and Tom McKibbin added to the night.
Speaking at the event, Tourism NI chairman Terence Brannigan said: “The ambitious plans set 10 years ago have transformed Northern Ireland and our ambitions for the future are just as big. Our golfi ng story is a global success and that has brought us right here tonight as we look forward to 190,000 fans and visitors from across the globe descending on Royal Portrush in July for the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland.
“The 148th Open will leave a legacy that will benefi t Northern Ireland for years to come.
“It will boost our reputation as a premier destination for international events and gives a well-earned boost to the development of our hard-working tourism businesses.
“Together with the R&A, our colleagues in Causeway Coast and Glens Council, volunteers, contributors, golf clubs and tourism businesses, we will deliver not only an incredible event, but a true Northern Ireland experience.
“It will lead us all to Sunday 21st July, when the fi nal putt will be sunk and the famous Claret Jug will be held aloft.”
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of the R&A, also spoke at the event: “There is great excitement among golf fans for the return of The Open to Royal Portrush for the fi rst time in nearly 70 years. This is refl ected in the unprecedented demand for tickets which has
THE contribution to the UK economy from outbound travel has increased by a third since 2014, reveals ABTA – The Travel Association. This further contradicts a common assumption - or even a myth - that overseas travel creates a ‘tourism defi cit’ with money going overseas which could be spent in the UK.
The overall contribution to the UK economy from outbound travel now stands at £37.1 billion and 1.8 per cent of GDP, up 36 per cent from £27.1 billion in 2014. This is the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the travel industry, which takes account of direct spend on travel services and holidays, as well as a range of associated products and services such as duty free, cameras and sun tan lotion. The fi ndings are from ABTA’s new report ‘Driving Growth - The Economic Value of Outbound Travel which is an analysis of the economic contribution of
the UK’s outbound travel industry.
The report lays to rest the argument that outbound travel doesn’t contribute to the UK economy. The analysis fi nds travellers now spend more in the UK before they travel than they do while abroad. UK travellers spent £45.7 billion in 2017, compared to £44.8bn overseas, an increase of almost £10bn since 2014. The direct economic impact of travel – the revenue generated from specifi c travel services, such as fl ights, and package holidays - is £15.9 billion and 0.8 per cent of GDP. Again, this has increased from £11.7 billion in 2014.
The travel industry is a big employer within the UK, directly employing 221,000 jobs and supporting a further 526,000 jobs in the wider economy including retail staff and manufacturers. Both have increased since 2014 – from 214,000 and 435,000 respectively. The report also says that for the industry to
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led to all four Championship days being sold out for the very fi rst time and the evident enthusiasm for golf throughout the island of Ireland.
“It is now only a few short months until the global sporting spotlight falls upon Northern Ireland for The 148th Open, when the world’s greatest golfers will compete for the iconic Claret Jug. We are very much looking forward to staging a successful and memorable Championship in July when we will welcome tens of thousands of fans to the famous Dunluce Links to enjoy this historic occasion.”
Tourism NI’s marketing and PR plans will include an ‘Epic Journey to The Open 2019’, a promotional tour of every county in Northern Ireland as well as Dublin city centre, so communities, schools, sportspeople and golf clubs can all be part of the celebration and excitement of The Open in their area.
Kirsty Johnston from Northern Ireland Travel News gets to pose with the Claret Jug
Value of overseas holidays to UK economy
strengthen its position as a driver for economic growth and signifi cant supporter of UK jobs, Government needs to truly recognise the contribution the industry makes and look to support it with the right policy and tax frameworks.
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said: “Too often the contribution of the UK outbound travel industry is overlooked in favour of a myth that overseas travel creates a ‘tourism defi cit’ with money going overseas which could be spent in the UK.
“The evidence is clear that this is not the case - the
benefi ts of the outbound sector are being felt by the wider economy in terms of jobs, support for other businesses and tax contributions to the Treasury. In order to continue to grow and thrive, government needs to make sure the right tax and policy framework is in place.”
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