Tourism Ireland, in conjunction with Tourism NI, has launched a new campaign in the United States, coinciding with this year's Open Golf Championship, to highlight the world-class golfing opportunities on the island of Ireland and to remind American golfers that next year’s Open takes place at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

The campaign includes a 30-second ad which is airing this week on the hugely popular NBC Golf Channel – reaching millions of households across the US. And email marketing will reach around 560,000 Golf Channel subscribers over the coming weeks. The key message is that Northern Ireland offers some of the best golf in the world and that Royal Portrush will host The Open in 2019.

In addition, two episodes of Ginella's Journeys all about Northern Ireland will re-air during the week after The Open. Ginella’s Journeys is a segment on the Golf Channel show Morning Drive, one of the network’s most popular shows.

Promoting golf holidays in Northern Ireland and around the island of Ireland is a major focus for Tourism Ireland in the United States.
 
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “Tourism Ireland has an extensive marketing programme under way this year, to highlight our world-class golf and encourage more Americans to consider a golfing vacation in Northern Ireland. In particular, we are highlighting the 148th Open which will take place at Royal Portrush next year. Our message is that Northern Ireland offers American golfers the complete package – with some of the very best links golf in the world, stunning scenery and the warmest of welcomes.

“The United States is an extremely important market for tourism to Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland is undertaking an extensive programme of promotions throughout 2018, to continue to build awareness of Northern Ireland as a premier vacation destination. Our aim is to build on the success of 2017, when we welcomed around 257,000 North American visitors to Northern Ireland.”

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, added: "Excitement is already building for the 2019 Open, which will be just the second time the tournament has been held outside the island of Great Britain, and the second time the Royal Portrush Golf Club will have hosted the prestigious event. This new advertising campaign will help to promote awareness of the first class gold courses in Ireland and that The Open will be taking place in Northern Ireland next year."

Tourism Ireland is the organisation responsible for promoting Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination. Tourism is responsible for in excess of 5.2% of GDP in Northern Ireland and supports approximately 61,300 jobs. In 2017, Northern Ireland welcomed 2.175 million overseas visitors, delivering revenue of £566 million.

If you or your group would like to experience a tailor-made tour of Northern Ireland enjoying some of the best golf courses the country has to offer, or indeed if you would like to include a visit to The Open, please do contact our friendly team today.