20 Feb 2025
Tourism NI supports community drop-in session
Tourism Northern Ireland was delighted this week to support a community drop-in event in Portrush ahead of the return of The Open this summer.
The 153rd Open will take place at Royal Portrush Golf Club between July 13 and 20.
Ahead of the Championship, the key partners behind the delivery of the event held an information session at Portrush Town Hall with those who live, work and run businesses in Portrush and the surrounding area encouraged to drop in, hear about the plans and ask questions.
Organised by The R&A, the event was supported by Tourism Northern Ireland, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Royal Portrush Golf Club and Translink
Information boards on display at the event covered key aspects of The Open including how the community can get involved, volunteering opportunities, local business support, skills and recruitment, legacy and sustainability, and economic benefit.
There was also some information about traffic and transport however a further engagement event in relation to these arrangements will take place in May.
Ahead of the Championship, the key partners behind the delivery of the event held an information session at Portrush Town Hall with those who live, work and run businesses in Portrush and the surrounding area encouraged to drop in, hear about the plans and ask questions.
Organised by The R&A, the event was supported by Tourism Northern Ireland, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Royal Portrush Golf Club and Translink
Information boards on display at the event covered key aspects of The Open including how the community can get involved, volunteering opportunities, local business support, skills and recruitment, legacy and sustainability, and economic benefit.
There was also some information about traffic and transport however a further engagement event in relation to these arrangements will take place in May.
The drop-in session took place as Tourism Northern Ireland also launched its Open industry toolkit, which has been developed with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, in conjunction with The R&A.
The toolkit, which has been created to help local businesses make the most out of The 153rd Open, includes tips and suggestions for the industry, links to information about the Championship and details about how to get involved.
The toolkit, which will continue to be updated over the coming months, can be viewed here.
Tourism Northern Ireland will also host a `Get Open Ready’ webinar on February 25.
The session is open to any businesses or individual who wish to get involved in the event.
Further information is available at Get Open Ready Webinar Session
Hannah Lynch, Project Manager at The R&A, said: “The community drop-in event was an important opportunity for residents and local businesses to hear more about our plans for The Open this summer and the benefits it can provide to those who live and work in the town and surrounding area."
Eimear Hone, Major Events Manager at Tourism Northern Ireland, said: “The 148th Open at Royal Portrush was the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland at the time, bringing huge benefits not just to the North Coast but to the whole of Northern Ireland.
“The 153rd Open is shaping up to be even bigger and we are working closely with our partners and local agencies to ensure it is another memorable occasion and a true celebration of golf for all.
“It was great to see so many local residents and members of the business community at the drop-in session where they were able to access the latest event updates and learn about the vast array of opportunities to get involved.”
The toolkit, which has been created to help local businesses make the most out of The 153rd Open, includes tips and suggestions for the industry, links to information about the Championship and details about how to get involved.
The toolkit, which will continue to be updated over the coming months, can be viewed here.
Tourism Northern Ireland will also host a `Get Open Ready’ webinar on February 25.
The session is open to any businesses or individual who wish to get involved in the event.
Further information is available at Get Open Ready Webinar Session
Hannah Lynch, Project Manager at The R&A, said: “The community drop-in event was an important opportunity for residents and local businesses to hear more about our plans for The Open this summer and the benefits it can provide to those who live and work in the town and surrounding area."
Eimear Hone, Major Events Manager at Tourism Northern Ireland, said: “The 148th Open at Royal Portrush was the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland at the time, bringing huge benefits not just to the North Coast but to the whole of Northern Ireland.
“The 153rd Open is shaping up to be even bigger and we are working closely with our partners and local agencies to ensure it is another memorable occasion and a true celebration of golf for all.
“It was great to see so many local residents and members of the business community at the drop-in session where they were able to access the latest event updates and learn about the vast array of opportunities to get involved.”