18 Jul 2002
The start of the British Open at Muirfield provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the best of Scotland to a world-wide audience, Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell said today.
Speaking on the first day of the event Mrs Liddell said:
"World class events like the Open provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the very best of Scotland. The world's best golfers will entertain tens of thousands of fans everyday and millions around the world.
"You don't have to be one of the world's leading professionals to play golf in Scotland. We have literally thousands of golf courses that can cater for everyone from the beginner wanting to learn the game to the keen 'amateur' wanting to play on some of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the world.
"And for those who don't play golf Scotland has beautiful scenery and heritage, vibrant cities, visual arts, cultural events like the Edinburgh festival, and a range of world class consumer products to keep even the most enthusiastic shopaholic busy.
"It's not just tourists who are visiting Scotland. More and more businesses and research institutes are recognising the benefits of working with Scotland. A modern, vibrant, and dynamic Scotland which excels in science, technology, design, information technology, and financial services. A Scotland that is competing and winning in a rapidly changing world economy.
"The Friends of Scotland initiative's purpose is to promote the best of what Scotland has to offer. The goodwill that exists throughout the world towards Scotland has to be harnessed. By doing so we can ensure that Scotland plays its full part on the world stage. We know that there are over 11 million Americans claiming Scottish ancestry. If we can persuade even 1% of them to visit Scotland, our tourism industry would reap major benefits.
"The Open provides a great opportunity to spread this message. I hope that many of the millions who will watch the event, either live or by satellite, will 'mark their card' to ensure that, whether it be for business or pleasure, a visit to Scotland is on their next itinerary."
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS
The aim of the Friends of Scotland initiative is to:
The initiative was launched at the Banqueting House in London on the 27 November 2001.