This article is from page 73 of the 2007-06-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 73 JPG
EIGHT Clare bed and breakfast busi- nesses feature in a prestigious new cuide to Irish golfing holidays.
Capitalising on the legacy of the Ryder Cup, Tourism Ireland and the Town and Country Homes Associa- tion have joined forces to produce the special all island B&B/Golfing Guide.
The new publication features over 100 B&B’s which were selected by the B&B Association from its large membership, because of the proprie- tors’ strong interest in golf and active involvement with a local golf club.
The guide highlights the wonderful courses which Clare has to offer in- cluding Lahinch Castle Course.
“The stunning west coast is blessed with a diverse range of links and parkland courses, all of which reflect the great traditions of the game’, a spokesman for the producers of the eabaTelemre BCG
“And as the guide suggests the west’s spectacular coastal landscape has provided a perfect canvas for some of the most imaginative golf course architects the game has pro- duced,” he added.
The B&B golf connection means that visitors can tap into a wealth of local knowledge where B&B owners can give them the “inside” knowl- edge of local golf courses, organise
tee-times or discounts or perhaps even join in a game themselves. The brochure is ideal for the less experienced golfing traveller as it includes not only the more difficult,
more prestigious courses, but also the many great value and less well known gems. The new B&B golfing brochure has been distributed to over 55,000 subscribers of Golf World
and Today’s Golfer.
According to Tourism Ireland, golf holidays offer huge untapped busi- ness potential. “Ireland has over 440 golf courses, more per head of popu-
lation than any other golfing destina- tion, added to which the country en- joys more than a third of the world’s true links seaside golf courses.
“There are 60 million golfers in the world, and the sport continues to grow in popularity with many couples, and active newly retired people taking up the game. While this brochure caters for all levels of golfers, it 1s ideal for these beginners and improvers, many of whom may never have played out- side of their own country,’ said John Greene, head of regional marketing, Tourism Ireland.
Speaking at the launch of the guide, Alan Hill, CEO, Town and Country Homes Association said, ““The B&B sector is about to undergo a most 1m- portant transformation. In partner- ship, we will begin to redefine what has made this very Irish accommoda- tion option unique around the world.
‘The impact of this process will be to present today’s busy and demand- ing global traveller with renewed Opportunities to stay in an approved Irish home. This golfing B&B bro- chure and supporting direct mar- keting initiative gives us a glimpse of the next generation of successful B&B operations – customer focused, committed to high standards and spreading high yielding business into principally rural parts of the island”.