Kildare golf and tourism operators in US to drum up business

PIC SHOWS: Robyn Cahill, The K Club (front, second left);  Joe Murphy, Fáilte Ireland (back, second left); Ciaran Barry, Tourism Ireland (back, fourth left); George Diamondis, Tourism NI (back, fifth left); Brendan Mackey, Carton House (back, fifth right); and David Connellan, Tourism Ireland (back, third right).

Tourism Ireland’s drive to grow golf visitor numbers from North America continued at the IAGTO North American Convention in Alabama.

Twelve (12) golf and tourism operators from Ireland, including Carton House and The K Club in Co Kildare joined Tourism Ireland at the convention – which was attended by influential golf and travel professionals from around the world. The event involved two days of one-to-one, pre-scheduled appointments and networking sessions, providing a valuable opportunity for the companies from Ireland to negotiate business for 2025 and beyond.

Aisling McDermott, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Global Partnerships, said: “The IAGTO North American Convention was a fantastic opportunity to showcase Ireland and our world-class golf. Golf is the world’s largest sports-related travel market and Tourism Ireland is working hard to drive home the message that a golfing holiday in Ireland is about much more than a round of 18 holes – the combination of our world-class golf and our unique brand of hospitality plays a key role in attracting golfers from around the world.

“Our participation at this convention is just one element of Tourism Ireland’s busy promotional programme to inspire more international golfers to choose Ireland. We’re also taking every opportunity to highlight the fact that The Open will return to Royal Portrush next month, the Irish Open is happening at The K Club in September and the Ryder Cup will take place at Adare Manor in 2027.”

Tourism Ireland has also participated in other IAGTO conventions this year – including the Asian Convention in Da Nang, in Vietnam, in April, and the European Convention in Gran Canaria, in May.

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