Gregor Poynton MP has written to VisitScotland Chief Executive Vicki Miller urging the national tourism agency to do more to showcase the high-quality golf courses on offer across West Lothian to international visitors.
The call follows a visit to Harburn Golf Club, where the Livingston MP met with club representatives to discuss plans to grow visitor numbers while maintaining the club's strong community focus.
West Lothian's strategic location
Despite sitting less than 30 minutes from Edinburgh Airport and boasting excellent transport links to both Edinburgh and Glasgow, West Lothian is missing out on the economic benefits of Scotland's world-renowned golf tourism industry, according to Poynton.
He argues that while many overseas visitors are transported directly from the airport to more established golfing destinations, there is huge potential to encourage golfers to begin or end their Scottish golfing experience in West Lothian.
Economic benefits for local businesses
As well as supporting local golf clubs, attracting more visitors would provide a welcome boost to hotels, pubs, restaurants, cafés and other local businesses across the county.
Poynton said: “Scotland is the Home of Golf, but too often visitors fly into Edinburgh Airport only to leave the area immediately for other parts of the country.
“West Lothian has fantastic golf courses, beautiful scenery and a warm welcome, all within easy reach of one of Scotland’s busiest international gateways. Visitors could step off a plane and be standing on the first tee within half an hour.
“If we’re serious about spreading the economic benefits of tourism, we need to ensure places like West Lothian are part of Scotland’s golfing story.
“Greater promotion wouldn’t just benefit our golf clubs. More visitors would mean more customers for our hotels, pubs, cafés, restaurants and other local businesses, supporting jobs and helping our local economy grow.
“I’m keen to see VisitScotland work alongside clubs across West Lothian to ensure they have every opportunity to attract more visitors from across the UK and around the world.”
Questions to VisitScotland
In his letter to VisitScotland, Poynton has asked what work is currently being undertaken to promote West Lothian’s golfing offer internationally and whether more can be done to position the county as a key destination within Scotland’s wider golf tourism strategy.
He has also highlighted West Lothian’s strategic location, arguing it presents an opportunity to offer overseas visitors a convenient, high-quality golfing experience on the doorstep of Edinburgh Airport, while bringing additional investment into communities across the county.
