Open Golf - Teeing Up For Success
As we prepare to welcome The Open Championship to Sandwich in
2011, partners are working hard to make sure everything is in place
for the event, which is set to bring around 200,000 visitors, and a
major multi million pound boost to the area.
We are working closely with accommodation providers and local
people to welcome visitors and list places to stay, and we have
already had more than 9,000 hits (page views) on a dedicated
website since its launch in July. We continue to work with
local residents who are willing to take in Bed and Breakfast
guests, who can register their details on our website. We
understand that hotels and restaurants in the area are already
seeing major benefits, with some already full.
The economic impact to Kent of The Open in 2003 was valued at
£48m, with £17.6m in East Kent alone. This is predicted to
rise for 2011, and indications are that the economic impact of the
St Andrews Open in Scotland this year was around £80m.
Partner authorities, Dover District Council, Kent County
Council, Canterbury City Council, Shepway District Council and
Thanet District Council, are driving forward with necessary
arrangements for the event. This includes work to ensure that
people attending The Open and local residents are able to move as
freely as possible around Sandwich, and maximising economic
benefits to the area.
Cllr Nigel Collor, Chairman of the Open Golf Project Executive
said: “Sandwich is the only location outside of the North-West of
England and Scotland where The Open is played. This is an excellent
opportunity for the area, bringing in millions of pounds, and
giving a great chance to present Kent in the best light in the run
up to the Olympics. This is a fantastic showcase for the area - the
eyes of the world will be on Sandwich, and we are working hard to
make sure that The Open continues to return, and that we realise
the major benefits of this prestigious event for the future.”
For more information, please see the Open Golf website
at or if you have a room to spare and are willing to take in
B&B guests, please call our tourism team on 01304
240477.
Date: 08/09/2010
Contact: Andy Steele
Telephone: 01304 872020
Fax: 01304 872300
Press Office Direct Line: 01304
872020
