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Chairman's Report 2009

We have been through tough times in the recent past, the repercussions from 9/11, BSE and other recessions, but this past year has surpassed those other years quite simply because of the wide-ranging volatility of events.

Through it, GTS has managed to make headway, despite the additional pressures exerted by market forces on the Team of Directors in terms of their time.  

During the course of the year we have taken some small, but fundamental, steps to help ensure and underpin GTS’s future.  These have included producing a new 3 year Business Activity Plan, undertaking tele-research of members, appointing the Scottish Tourism Forum as our new Administration Secretariat (which has the added advantage of providing in-house political lobbying specialists) and finally, engaging a golf specialist PR company, The Word Association.  It is too early to measure their individual and collective success, but in one year’s time we hope to comment favourably on their respective performances.

Specific member benefits have also been made available during the year.  For example, free insertion in a GTS promotional leaflet, a Practical e-Guide for exhibitors at EXPO 2009 and several discounted advertising opportunities or promotional options.  To assist with both external and internal communication, GTS has also produced one printed newsletter and has almost completed an upgrade of the current website.      

In addition to those critical tasks, your Board has a more mature and informed dialogue with VisitScotland and EventScotland, which has led to an involvement in a Senior Management Stakeholders Strategic Session, joint initiatives throughout the year, preferential discounts for GTS members exhibiting at specific events and a direct input into event and exhibition planning for 2010.  There is continuing dialogue with Scottish Enterprise, our other public sector partners, who have been generous in their support by supplying grant assistance for specific project activity.  

During the year Board members have been asked to contribute to local, regional and national discussions, offer quotes and opinions for print or broadcast media and provide material or comment for surveys.  Much of this is based on knowledge gained from operating at ‘the coalface’ and from information gleaned from GTS mechanics i.e. Business Barometer and Fast Feedback.   

Collectively, all the foregoing actions and initiatives have led to an increase in membership and an improved financial position.  

The UK is, according to some economists, “on the road to recovery”, but what they tend not to spell out is precisely how far that road goes, possibly because they like many others don’t have the definitive answer.  Market analysts suggest the country is some way behind our principal European partners, but that the US is leading the way globally.  If this turns out to be correct, GTS should and could benefit from this situation, as foreign nationals start to look for golf destinations.  

However, we need to be positioned to take advantage of the situation, by using our collective member attributes to make a positive impression, by working with our partners in a real collaborative to strengthen Scotland’s approach to the market and by being an innovative and proactive tourism organisation. To achieve these aims, we need your help.  

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the AGM and GTS Gold Standard Awards Dinner on Thursday 5th November at the Turnberry Resort.  Please come along to add your contribution to the Scottish golf tourism discussion, then enjoy the company of your associates at what will be a fantastic night.

Nick Hunter