The Northern Irish Tourism Minister Nigel Dodds yesterday told reporters about his plan for golf tourism for Northern Ireland. He aims to attract the 60 million golfers worldwide to Northern Ireland on holiday. Apparently “statistics show that every £1 spent by a golfer is worth £15 to the local economy”. Also golfers care less about what the weather is like so they will still play even if it’s cold and raining. According to Tom McGrath, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, golf tourism is so important for the economy because “golf visits to Northern Ireland (rose) by 58% between 2003 and 2006”. Now I think this is an amazing idea. I know many people who go on holiday just to play golf, and Northern Ireland has some amazing scenery so I can see it working quite well! This is also an opportunity for Northern Ireland to raise it’s profile in the world considering its recent history.

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