From a Derry hotel's extension to a campsite, more accommodation options added for The Open
And in Coleraine, work is almost finished at the vast site of The Open Camping Village at Ulster University's campus.
It's a short shuttle ride away from Royal Portrush, where The Open will begin on Thursday, July 17.
Tourism NI said around 4,800 guests will stay at the site – the equivalent of a record 11,500 total bed nights. That surpasses the previous highest number of 10,000 at St Andrews in 2022.
The camping village is a popular accommodation option for families and young people, with around a third of those booked to stay this year under the age of 25.
First launched by The R&A at Royal Troon in 2016, the initiative aims to remove the barrier of expensive accommodation for young people interested in attending The Open.
It will be open from 12pm on Sunday, July 13 until 10am on Monday, July 21 with free camping accommodation available to ticket holders under the age of 25.
Around 3,500 free bed nights for under 25s have been booked, while adult camping is priced from £55 per person per night.
There are more than 750 tents booked, and Tourism NI said a range of tents is still available for groups of all sizes.
The site includes different styles of tents, toilets and showers, organised activities, and a club house with a licensed bar and entertainment, with a capacity of host almost 500 people.
Suppliers, including street food vendors, will trade on the site, while other businesses will provide services such as laundry and shower facilities as well as security.
Eimear Hone, major events manager at Tourism NI, said: 'The Open Camping Village is a fantastic initiative run by The R&A, providing an affordable alternative for families and young people who wish to be part of The Open experience.
'In addition, the village provides an additional opportunity for local suppliers to show why the region is known worldwide for its rich food and drink offering. Their presence at the site will further enhance the experience for guests.'
And the Holiday Inn Express in Derry, owned by the Duddy family, prepared for The Open and future tourism opportunities with an extension financed as part of a £7m funding package from Ulster Bank.
The family has been carrying out investment on the site which has created hundreds of jobs while revitalising the location.
They have opened the new Kaboodle Bar beside the hotel, a licensed restaurant and family entertainment complex and has further plans to continue to invest and expand at the location in the city.
The £7m funding involved the refinancing of existing borrowing along with another tranche of funding towards the build to complete the latest expansion of the Holiday Inn Express.
It is the latest hotel investment supported by Ulster Bank across Northern Ireland, with other recent examples including Andras House's new Marcus Hotel in Portrush – also timed for The Open – and the acquisition of the Armagh City Hotel by McKeever Hotel Group.
Mr Tew, associate director, Ulster Bank, said: 'It is an exciting time for the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland with a considerable amount of investment ongoing, not least as the industry prepares for major events such as The Open, and this will leave a very positive longer-term legacy for the local economy'.
Brendan Duddy from Duddy Group added: 'We are excited to partner with Ulster Bank as we continue to invest in our premises to meet strong demand in the local market for accommodation as the city attracts a growing number of leisure visitors.'
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