A campaign is under way to support golfing and tourism companies in the run-up to the Open at St Andrews.
Fife Golf Partnership project manager Liam Barn said that, working with Fife Tourism Partnership and VisitScotland, a number of initiatives are being run to ensure that media, travel companies and visitors are left in no doubt Fife offers a “fantastic” golf tourism experience.
By building on contacts made in the international golf travel market and at the VisitScotland Expo, tourism and media visits are being arranged to promote businesses to the UK, Europe and USA.
“In addition to the visits, the partnership has promoted our members to 6,000 consumers across the UK and Europe in the lead-up to the Open to highlight special offers and promotions for golf and non-golf attractions and accommodation.
“A social media community of around 2,000 followers is kept up to date with the latest news and promotions around Fife,” he added
On the golf course, the Fife Golf Partnership will team up with VisitScotland on its stand at the Open to promote local businesses and provide real-time information on digital I-signs.
Meanwhile, Fife Tourism Partnership has collated a booklet of more than 30 special offers and incentives from local tourism operators to hand out at the championship.
The partnership has also been helping with the inaugural Fife Junior Open.
Fife Council depute leader Lesley Laird said: “This is a great chance for tourism businesses, whether directly associated with golf or not, to promote themselves to the many thousands of visitors we are expecting.”
In another development, unemployed Fifers are being given the chance to boost skills and secure jobs in the hospitality industry by taking up a training programme which includes a work placement at the Open.
Anneliese Archibald, managing director at the training provider Xtra-Mile.com, which is helping deliver the employability fund in Fife, said it was a fantastic chance for people who were out of work.
To find out more, email Lynda.XtraMile@gmail.com.