Scotland is looking to utilise its reputation as “the home of golf” in its efforts to increase inbound visitor numbers.

National tourism agency VisitScotland is leading a trade mission to the Spanish island of Mallorca this week, where 15 Scottish golf businesses will attend the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM).

The delegates – representing a wide range of golf tourism businesses – include The Gleneagles Hotel, host venue of 2014’s Ryder Cup and Carnoustie Country, host venue of The Open Championship in 2018.

VisitScotland’s Tourism 2020 Strategy outlines an ambition to grow tourism revenues by £1bn by 2020.

Malcolm Roughead, VisitScotland CEO said: “We will use the event as an opportunity to drive the message to buyers around the world that Scotland truly is the Home of Golf and the world’s best golf tourism destination.

“We have much to look forward to on the Scottish golfing calendar with The Open returning to Carnoustie in 2018 and The Solheim Cup at Gleneagles in 2019 among a number of world-class golf events taking place in the next few years.

“It is also the Year of History, Heritage & Archaeology in 2017, which lends itself perfectly to promoting golf in Scotland, the historic home of the game.”

As well as the two championship courses, the 15 Scottish delegates include The British Golf Museum and Fife Golf Partnership.

For more information on the golf tourism delegation, click here for the VisitScotland website