13 June 2022
VisitScotland connects sustainable tourism objectives with the support and promotion of sustainable golf in Scotland and beyond
VisitScotland, the national body for the development and promotion of tourism in Scotland, has added a significant boost to golf’s efforts in sustainability and climate action.
The move comes just six months since Scotland hosted COP26, the UN’s climate change conference, which saw the launch of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. During COP26, VisitScotland also supported GEO Foundation’s ‘Driving Net Zero’ – a special event to spotlight and discuss golf and climate action.
The partnership sees VisitScotland become the first national tourism body globally to become a strategic partner with GEO Foundation to connect with and support the advancement of their non-profit mission to help accelerate sustainability in and through golf.
It also establishes connection and alignment between VisitScotland’s responsible tourism goals, and the sustainability activities being carried out through this year’s leading golf tournaments in Scotland including: The 150th Open, the AIG Women’s Open, the Genesis Scottish Open, the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open, The Senior Open Championship and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
There will also be a focus on boosting direct support for Scottish golf clubs, including the provision of OnCourse® Scotland, a national version of the international programme for sustainable club and course management. Club engagement will be delivered in collaboration with Scottish Golf, helping bring significant awareness-raising to the effort, to involve more Scottish clubs in actions that can help strengthen efficiency, sustainability and popularity of clubs across the country.
Culture Minister Neil Gray said: “I commend VisitScotland for their strategic partnership with the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf – a first for Scotland. The partnership aligns with the Scottish Government’s long-term priority to become a Net Zero Nation by enhancing our climate resilience in a just and fair way.
“The agreement also builds on the momentum of COP26 ahead of an exceptional summer of golf events, headlined by the 150th Open at St Andrews. I’m confident that the GEO Foundation’s expertise will not only deliver clear benefits to these events and clubs across Scotland, but also encourage other around the world to take climate action.”
Malcolm Roughead, CEO of VisitScotland championed the announcement, saying: “Scotland is The Home of Golf – the country which forged the game, and then developed and shared what is now a global sport. This year we are firmly in the spotlight again, with no less than six prestige international events taking place at world renowned venues across the country.”
“Given that golf represents such a large part of our tourism sector, we want to align with our overall approach to responsible tourism and help golf facilities and high-profile tournaments on their journey.
“We are delighted to collaborate with GEO Foundation, dedicated as they are to advancing sustainable golf from their headquarters in North Berwick, and also with our national governing body Scottish Golf who share our commitment to build sustainability into the long-term popularity and resilience of the sport.”
Jonathan Smith, Executive Director of GEO Foundation added: “We are extremely proud to carry the support of VisitScotland out across the non-profit work we do to inspire, guide and promote sustainability in and through golf. It is a great fit in terms of our international advocacy and programmes, and support for golf in Scotland.”
“We are particularly excited about how the collaboration will help connect sustainable tourism and sustainable golf; support the leadership of leading events; and how together with Scottish Golf we can guide and reward clubs across the country.”
Karin Sharp, Chief Operating Officer of Scottish Golf added: “This is a great moment to advance our longstanding commitment and efforts on these vital issues. As part of our strategic review clubs across the country have told us sustainability is important to them, and that they’d welcome more guidance, direction and recognition. We are excited to work with VisitScotland and GEO Foundation to further develop and provide that”.
ENDS
About VisitScotland – Scotland, the Home of Golf
Scotland is renowned around the world as the Home of Golf. It is the birthplace of the game and to this day remains its spiritual home. It is also a modern, dynamic and world-class golf events and tourism destination welcoming hundreds of thousands of golfers every year and regularly playing host to the biggest tournaments in the world.
The golf industry in Scotland is worth more than £1 billion annually to the Scottish economy, of which golf events and golf tourism plays a major role.
Through activity delivered by organisations including VisitScotland, Scottish Development International and Scottish Golf, the Scottish Government is committed to continuing to support the growth of the game in this country. This includes; supporting economic and business growth within the Scottish economy, driving increased participation in the sport and helping to nurture the next generation of Scottish golfing stars.
For more information on the Scottish Government and its partners: www.scotland.org www.visitscotland.com www.scotent.co.uk
About GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf
GEO Foundation is the international not-for-profit dedicated to advancing sustainability in and through golf. GEO’s mission is to help the sport embrace environmental and social issues and become well-regarded for its role in fostering nature, conserving resources, taking climate action and strengthening communities.
In addition to providing strategic support and advisory through a wide range of collaborations across golf, GEO also manages and assures the OnCourse® programmes for grassroots golf facilities, new developments and tournaments, which help people to easily understand, improve, track and share their sustainability and carbon footprints. OnCourse is used annually as a stand-alone programme and can also lead to the internationally accredited and widely-endorsed GEO Certified® label.
The Foundation is also committed to support, recognise and celebrate the growing sustainable golf community around the world from the online platform sustainable.golf.
For more information please visit www.sustainable.golf, and contact:
Roddy Williams, GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf – roddy@sustainable.golf
Gemma Carlton, VisitScotland – gemma.carlton@visitscotland.com
Contact:
Jonathan Smith – Chief Executive
GEO Foundation
Tel: +44 (0) 1620 850 659
Email: jonathan@sustainable.golf
Website: www.sustainable.golf
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Fonte: IAGTO