BTA In U.K. To Grow Women’s Golf Events
The Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] is working to grow strong leads for Bermuda’s golf product at the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters in Buckinghamshire, where 17,500 spectators attended.
“It’s believed the geographic location of the event in the northwest of London attracted a high volume of female golfers in Bermuda’s target demographic,” the BTA said.
“I estimate 80% of the ladies we encountered travelled on a regular basis with a primary mission to play golf,” said Andrew Brooks, the BTA director of golf sales and marketing.
“We generated hundreds of new leads and contacts; we’ll now follow up with offers and golf events in Bermuda that will appeal to the women we met at the Masters.”
Position of the BTA booth next to the main leader board at the Ladies European Masters:
A spokesperson said, “One such event that has been particularly strong for attracting women golfers from the U.K. is the Women & Golf Trophy. This November about 50 ladies are expected to travel to Bermuda again for the sixth such event, when Bermuda’s weather is far superior to England’s.
“Event participants extend their travel experiences beyond golf, providing an economic boost of $165,000 in on-island spending during a traditionally soft travel period. The Ladies European Masters has provided the BTA with an opportunity to potentially grow the number of Women & Golf participants, perhaps as early as this year.
“The BTA’s prime on-site location next to the main tournament leader board generated a lot of foot traffic. It was described as a garden-style atmosphere with a complimentary Gosling’s Dark n’ Stormy© for those who stopped by.
“Brit Christine Langford, who recruits ladies for the golf event in November, joined Mr Brooks for the golf marketing activation in Buckinghamshire last month.”
Andrew Brooks and Christine Langford host potential visitors with a signature Gosling’s cocktail
“Christine is an asset to our effort to grow seasonal business throughout the year,” said Chief Product & Experiences Development Officer Pat Philip-Fairn.
“The Women & Golf event and more recently February’s Talleton-Bermuda Pairs event – both under Christine’s stewardship – are critical golf tourism events during the winter when our strategy focus is arts, culture and sports.”
“Bermuda also enjoyed considerable television airtime during four days of Sky Sports coverage. Announcers teased a special promotion on the 18th hole each day which gave each competitor the chance to win an Elbow Beach-hosted trip to Bermuda if she shot a hole-in-one.
“Partners from Elbow Beach also attended the Ladies Masters to promote their property to potential visitors.”
To encourage more visitor from the Northern region we first must have airfares that are acceptable. We also can do with all inclusive package deals. For a family to fly to Bermuda is absolutely astronomical! Oh,also take away the monopoly British Airways has…
Typo: visitors
Good on you BTA for trying something new and targeting the right demographic.
I cannot believe it, here we go again, attracting women golfers to Bermuda and not one women Bermudian golfer at the event. Just a male golfer!!!! Director of Golf at Port Royal. Common sense would suggest that Ebonie Burgess would be in a much stronger position to talk on women’s golf. She has represented Bermuda Women’s Golf on innumerable occasions. Does no one ever think in the BTA?
mr ray ,british airways does not have the monopoly .no one else wants to compete with them !!!!!!