Ireland Stands Alongside Switzerland and More Nations in Showcasing Golf Tourism Through Media Partnerships and Major Events

Ireland promotes golf tourism in 2026 via international media relations and sports events. Ireland has made a serious international push to enhance the golf tourism industry in 2026 by attracting Switzerland, the US, the UK, Germany, France, Finland and many other nations to its increasing network of promotional partners. By means of international media tours, golf travel shows, luxurious resort development and golf championships, Ireland is promoting its golf legacy to the international community. Simultaneously, business meetings in Spain, Thailand and Mexico are assisting Irish tourism enterprises in reaching international travel buyers. In view of the Ryder Cup 2027, Ireland is promoting its luxurious golf courses, coastal sights and hotel services to attract golf tourism to Ireland.

Ireland’s Golf Tourism Takes Centre Stage as Global Partnerships Expand

Ireland is strengthening its reputation as an international golfing destination through a carefully coordinated programme of tourism promotion, commercial partnerships and major sporting events.

Throughout 2026, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland have been connecting Irish golf businesses with international journalists, tour operators and industry representatives.

The strategy focuses on showcasing more than championship golf courses. Ireland is presenting a complete travel experience combining coastal landscapes, historic accommodation, cultural attractions and regional hospitality.

The country’s international promotional activities have reached audiences across Europe, North America and Asia.

These initiatives are particularly important ahead of the Ryder Cup 2027, which will provide another opportunity to introduce Ireland’s golfing destinations to international audiences.

Switzerland Brings Fresh European Attention to Ireland’s Golf Tourism

Switzerland has become part of Ireland’s international golf tourism promotional programme through specialist media participation.

In September 2026, Swiss golf journalists joined Tourism Ireland’s Writers’ Cup, an international media initiative designed to showcase Irish golfing experiences.

The event introduced journalists to championship courses, premium accommodation and regional visitor attractions.

Their participation created opportunities for Irish golf destinations to gain coverage among specialist audiences in Switzerland.

For potential visitors, such reporting can provide insights into course quality, destination accessibility and the broader experiences available during an Irish golf holiday.

Switzerland’s involvement demonstrates the importance of targeted international media exposure in Ireland’s tourism strategy.

United States Strengthens Ireland’s Golf Tourism Connections Through Major Industry Events

The United States has been a prominent focus of Ireland’s golf tourism promotion in 2026.

Tourism Ireland participated in January’s PGA Show in Orlando alongside 27 Irish golf and tourism businesses.

The event provided a platform for presenting Irish golf courses, accommodation and visitor experiences to international industry professionals.

An additional Ireland Golf Day near Orlando attracted approximately 120 golf professionals and buyers.

Ireland also welcomed eight American golf journalists during September’s Writers’ Cup.

These activities combined commercial networking with specialist destination publicity.

They also created opportunities to promote the Ryder Cup 2027 and encourage American golf enthusiasts to consider Ireland for future holidays.

United Kingdom Expands Golf Holiday Business Through Strategic Tourism Meetings

The United Kingdom continues to play an important role in Ireland’s golf tourism promotional activity.

A specialist workshop in Glasgow during May 2026 brought together 17 British golf tour operators and 17 Irish tourism businesses.

Approximately 290 business appointments were arranged to explore future commercial opportunities.

The meetings focused on promoting Irish golf courses, accommodation and destination experiences to British travel companies.

Ireland also hosted British golf journalists on familiarisation visits featuring Dromoland Castle Golf Club, Limerick Golf Club and Ballyneety Golf Club.

Tourism Ireland estimated that the resulting coverage could potentially reach approximately 8.3 million British golf enthusiasts and prospective holidaymakers.

These initiatives demonstrate how Ireland is developing both travel trade relationships and international media exposure.

Germany Showcases Ireland’s Championship Courses to Continental Golf Travellers

Germany participated in Ireland’s international golf media programme through the September 2026 Writers’ Cup.

German golf journalists experienced several prominent Irish golf destinations, including Adare Manor, Lahinch, Limerick Golf Club, Ballyneety and The Hawthorn by Galway Bay.

The visits highlighted the diversity of Ireland’s golfing facilities, from traditional coastal links to championship resort courses.

Journalists also experienced the country’s hospitality and regional attractions.

Such initiatives help international audiences understand how golf holidays can be combined with wider destination experiences.

Germany’s participation reflects Ireland’s efforts to strengthen its promotional reach across continental Europe.

However, the programme does not establish a specific increase in German golf visitor arrivals.

France Builds Ireland’s Golf Tourism Profile Through International Media Engagement

France was among the countries represented at Tourism Ireland’s international Writers’ Cup.

French golf journalists participated in the September programme, visiting championship courses and experiencing Ireland’s wider tourism offering.

The initiative provided opportunities to showcase golf facilities alongside cultural attractions, landscapes and premium hospitality.

Specialist travel journalism can help introduce Irish destinations to French golf enthusiasts considering international holidays.

Ireland’s promotional strategy also highlights opportunities to combine several courses within one travel itinerary.

France’s involvement therefore contributed to international destination awareness through media engagement.

The available information does not indicate that France and Ireland established a separate bilateral golf tourism agreement during the programme.

Finland Extends Ireland’s Golf Tourism Promotion into Nordic Markets

Finland contributed to Ireland’s golf tourism publicity programme through participation in the Writers’ Cup.

Finnish golf journalists travelled to Ireland in September 2026 to experience established championship courses and regional attractions.

The programme introduced participants to different golfing environments, accommodation experiences and coastal landscapes.

For Ireland, specialist media participation provides an opportunity to reach Nordic audiences interested in international sporting holidays.

The initiative also supports the wider objective of promoting Irish golf destinations across a diverse range of European markets.

While the activity increased opportunities for international publicity, its direct contribution to Finnish visitor bookings has not been quantified.

Spain Opens European Trade Networks to Ireland’s Golf Tourism Businesses

Spain provided an important international networking platform when Málaga hosted the IAGTO European Convention in May 2026.

Twenty Irish golf and tourism operators attended the event.

The convention connected Irish suppliers with international golf holiday buyers and specialist travel businesses.

Participants discussed commercial opportunities involving golf courses, accommodation and destination experiences.

For Irish businesses, these meetings provided opportunities to develop future holiday packages and strengthen international distribution relationships.

Spain’s role was particularly significant as a host of a specialist European golf tourism convention.

The event’s international nature means its potential commercial benefits extended beyond the Spanish travel market.

Thailand Connects Ireland’s Golf Tourism Industry with Asian Travel Buyers

Thailand hosted the IAGTO Asian Convention in Pattaya during March 2026.

Four Irish golf and tourism operators participated alongside Tourism Ireland.

The event allowed Irish suppliers to introduce their golf holiday offerings to international travel professionals.

Commercial discussions focused on developing relationships and exploring opportunities in Asian travel markets.

Participation in the convention formed part of Ireland’s efforts to expand its international promotional network beyond Europe and North America.

The initiative created opportunities for future tourism partnerships, although confirmed increases in golf visitor arrivals from Thailand have not been established.

Mexico Supports Ireland’s Expansion into North American Golf Travel Networks

Mexico hosted the IAGTO North American Convention in Cancún during June 2026.

Ten Irish golf and tourism businesses participated.

The event connected Irish suppliers with specialist international buyers interested in developing golf holiday products.

Discussions offered opportunities to promote championship courses, accommodation and regional tourism experiences.

The convention complemented Ireland’s earlier marketing activity in the United States.

For Irish tourism businesses, international networking can help establish relationships with operators capable of selling multi-destination golf itineraries.

Mexico’s contribution was primarily as a convention host and international business networking location.

International Countries Driving Ireland’s Golf Tourism Promotion in 2026

Country	Promotional initiative	Confirmed activity	Tourism opportunity
Switzerland	International Writers’ Cup	Swiss golf journalists participated	European media exposure
United States	PGA Show and Writers’ Cup	27 Irish businesses attended PGA Show; eight US journalists joined Writers’ Cup	International trade and publicity
United Kingdom	Glasgow workshop	17 British operators and approximately 290 meetings	Future golf holiday packages
Germany	Writers’ Cup	German golf journalists participated	Continental European destination awareness
France	Writers’ Cup	French golf journalists participated	Specialist travel publicity
Finland	Writers’ Cup	Finnish golf journalists participated	Nordic audience engagement
Spain	IAGTO European Convention	20 Irish golf and tourism operators	Commercial networking
Thailand	IAGTO Asian Convention	Four Irish operators	Asian market connections
Mexico	IAGTO North American Convention	Ten Irish businesses	International buyer partnerships
Ireland	Ireland Golf Convention	Around 1,800 scheduled meetings	Tourism trade development

Ireland Golf Convention in County Clare Creates Major Commercial Opportunities

The Ireland Golf Convention 2026 brought international tourism professionals together at Dromoland Castle Golf Resort in County Clare.

Held on 5 and 6 October, the event attracted more than 60 international golf tour operators from 16 countries.

Approximately 80 Irish golf and tourism suppliers participated in around 1,800 scheduled business appointments.

Fáilte Ireland organised the convention in partnership with IAGTO and Tourism Northern Ireland.

The programme focused on strengthening commercial relationships and promoting Irish golf destinations to international buyers.

Delegates also had opportunities to experience golf courses and sections of the Wild Atlantic Way.

The convention demonstrated Ireland’s efforts to translate international promotional activity into future tourism business.

Ryder Cup 2027 Gives Ireland a Powerful International Marketing Platform

Ireland is preparing to host the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in County Limerick from 17 to 19 September 2027.

The tournament forms a major part of Tourism Ireland’s international golf promotional strategy.

The organisation is highlighting championship courses, luxury resorts and regional visitor experiences ahead of the competition.

The Ryder Cup provides opportunities to attract international attention to destinations beyond the host venue.

Ireland is also promoting multi-course golfing holidays that combine sporting experiences with sightseeing, dining and cultural attractions.

These initiatives aim to encourage international travellers to explore the island more widely.

The economic impact will depend on future visitor arrivals, bookings and expenditure.

Luxury Investments and Championship Events Reinforce Ireland’s Tourism Appeal

Ireland’s golf tourism promotion is supported by investment in hospitality facilities and international sporting events.

Dromoland Castle is undertaking a €55 million redevelopment covering accommodation, dining, wellness facilities and guest experiences.

The castle is scheduled to close temporarily in November 2026 and reopen in June 2027, while its golf course and selected facilities remain operational.

Meanwhile, County Clare hosted the Walker Cup at Lahinch and the Amgen Irish Open at Doonbeg in September 2026.

These events highlighted the region’s championship courses and coastal landscapes.

Together, luxury investment and major sporting competitions support Ireland’s efforts to promote high-quality golf tourism experiences.

How Ireland Is Building a Stronger International Golf Tourism Industry

Ireland’s 2026 programme includes several complementary initiatives designed to strengthen its international tourism presence.

• Global trade partnerships: International conventions connect Irish suppliers with specialist golf holiday operators.
• Media familiarisation visits: Overseas journalists experience courses and destinations before reporting to their audiences.
• Championship promotion: Major tournaments showcase Ireland’s golfing facilities internationally.
• Luxury hospitality investment: Resort upgrades improve accommodation and visitor experiences.
• Regional destination marketing: Golf holidays are combined with coastal attractions, heritage and local hospitality.
• Ryder Cup preparations: International marketing promotes Ireland ahead of the September 2027 competition.

These activities create opportunities for commercial growth while supporting Ireland’s wider destination marketing objectives.

Ireland is expanding its golf tourism presence in 2026 through international media campaigns, strategic partnerships and major sporting events. Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Finland are supporting destination promotion, while Spain, Thailand and Mexico are connecting Irish businesses with global travel buyers.

Tourism in golf increases in 2026 in Ireland together with Switzerland and other countries through partnerships in the media worldwide and major golf tournaments.

The Ireland Golf Convention, investment in luxury resorts, and world championships are making Ireland attractive for tourists in advance of the Ryder Cup 2027. The main purpose of these activities is to attract more golf lovers and encourage longer stay in Ireland.