The Open in Portrush will benefit businesses across NI – tourism chief

The return of the Open Championship to Portrush will have a positive impact for businesses across Northern Ireland, a tourism chief has predicted.

John McGrillen, chief executive of Tourism NI, said the last time the golf major was in Co Antrim in 2019, the local economy benefited by €130 million (£110 million), a figure set to be surpassed this summer.

The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush is set to become the second-best attended in history, with almost 280,000 fans having snapped up tickets for the final major of the year.

The event was already a complete sell-out before home favourite Rory McIlroy completed the career grand slam with his dramatic Masters victory at Augusta National in April.

Mr McGrillen said it is expected that the local economy this time will benefit by at least €141 million (£120 million).

He said: “More people will be coming.

“People will see the images of Northern Ireland. The Open is not just about the week, it is about how it promotes Northern Ireland both as a tourist destination and a golf destination.

“After the Open at Portrush in 2019, we saw a huge uplift in the number of people coming here to play golf.

“Golfers tend to spend about four times more than the average leisure visitor, they are very valuable for the local economy.”

The tourism boss said substantially more US visitors will come to the Open when it is played in Northern Ireland, compared with Scotland.

He said: “Ireland in itself has got a very significant appeal for US visitors.”

Mr McGrillen said a lot of work had been done to ensure that businesses across Northern Ireland benefit from the event.

He said: “We have worked very closely with the R&A to make sure that local businesses have the best opportunity they can get.

“We have