Failte Ireland today highlighted the great potential of golf tourism as the Golf Forum released new research about overseas golf visitors to Ireland.

The new research estimates that the typical overseas golf tourist is worth almost three times the value of a regular tourist to the country and, with approximately 155,000 overseas visitors playing golf while in Ireland, this amounts to a total estimated spend of €204 million each year.

The research was announced today at the Limerick Strand Hotel in Limerick during the annual briefing for the golf industry from the Failte Ireland Golf Forum, the industry-based group established to help the sector develop.

Tourism Ireland has frequently targeted the golf market over the past year, aiming to capitalise on Irish golfer’s success in the sport, as well as highlighting the country’s fabulous golf facilities.

Dan Flinter, Chair of the forum said: This new research further highlights the importance of golfing visitors to our tourism sector and the role they play in bringing in much needed international revenue into the Irish economy.

Golf is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest tourism assets and Failte Ireland together with Tourism Ireland and the industry are continuing to invest heavily in the promotion of our golf product in 2012.”

“In order to build on the impressive performance reflected in today’s research, the Irish golf sector will not only have to continue to offer memorable experiences but one that is good value for money.

“Most encouragingly, this new research shows that we are hitting the mark on both scores – with visitor satisfaction rates at 94% and value for money at 85%.”