Minister Pledges Greater Economic Boost for Portrush During 2025 Open Championship

Northern Ireland's Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has committed to ensuring that Portrush and its local businesses reap greater economic benefits from the upcoming Open Championship in 2025 than they did during the 2019 event.

During a recent Assembly session, MLA Maurice Bradley raised concerns that, despite the significant overall economic impact of the 2019 tournament, Portrush itself did not experience the expected financial uplift. "Portrush was described as a 'ghost town'," Mr Bradley said. "There was very, very little footfall into the peninsula itself, and local business traders lost out on the overall economic benefit of the competition."

In response, Minister Murphy highlighted ongoing efforts by Tourism NI and other key partners to more effectively integrate local businesses into the event's supply chain. "Tourism NI, on behalf of my department, is committed to working with key partners to deliver even more benefits from The Open in 2025 than those generated in 2019," he said. "We are focusing on engaging with local supply chains, which not only boosts businesses in the town but also strengthens the local economy and enhances prosperity."

Murphy emphasised that involving residents through job opportunities, training, and volunteering would have long-term positive effects on the community. "When local people benefit from these tournaments by supplying goods and services and working with them, that prosperity is naturally reflected in increased footfall in local towns and shops," he added.

The Minister also outlined plans to extend the tourist season beyond the traditional summer months to combat the "ghost town" effect during quieter periods. "Our objective is to stretch that season longer," he said. "By doing so, we aim to attract more visitors year-round and encourage more investment in local businesses."

Tourism NI is collaborating closely with the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and The R&A, the organisers of The Open Championship. A local business and community group, chaired by the council, is working on initiatives to maximise opportunities for employment, training, and supply chain engagement ahead of the tournament.

The 2019 Open Championship brought more than £100 million in combined economic and media benefits to Northern Ireland, delivering extensive global broadcast reach and public relations coverage. With enhanced local engagement strategies, the 2025 event aims to surpass these achievements, ensuring that Portrush and its residents are at the forefront of the economic gains.