Ryder Cup Means Big Business for Scottish Hotel Industry

The 2014 Ryder Cup kicks off tomorrow in Scotland with an influx of visitors expected to touchdown in the area this weekend.  Scottish tourism executives estimate that 45,000 people per day will show up to the Gleneagles Hotel (the tournament venue) to watch the three-day extravaganza. This prestigious golf tournament will generate substantial revenue for the local economy, specifically the hotel industry.     

Hotel managers are anticipating a hectic weekend and are planning accordingly to ensure there are enough rooms to accommodate guests, reservations are booked, hotel amenities are immaculate, and the hotel is fully staffed.  

This large contingent of visitors can present challenges for hotel management when there is a scarcity of rooms.  Since lodging in and around the Gleneagles Hotel area fills up quickly, visitors end up staying in neighboring town hotels over 45 miles away from the tournament.  This may seem like an inconvenience for people that want to be adjacent to the event; however, since the Ryder Cup is such a big deal for hard core golf fans, they are willing to pay any amount to find lodging no matter the distance in order to see their favorite players and teams compete, which is a huge financial benefit for local hotels.