Glasgow launches new tourism strategy as new hotels open

Glasgow is launching a refreshed tourism strategy to encourage visitors to stay longer and boost the economy as nearly 30 new hotels are being added to the city.

The plan said Glasgow is adding more accommodation, with 20 new hotels planned to open in the city between 2023 to 2025. Five hotels opened in 2021 and four in 2022. The strategy also said “Glasgow is home to one of the best food and drink scenes in the UK, which is a “definite draw for both residents and visitors that the city can capitalise on.”

But one politician warned the city needs to be clean to entice visitors. Councillors signed off the “refreshed Glasgow Tourism Strategy” up to 2030 on Thursday at the city administration committee. SNP Councillor Annette Christie said the strategy aims to give people reasons to come back to the city and it means investing in attractions.

Bailie Christie, convenor for culture said: “As we know tourism plays a vital role in Glasgow’s economy and helps to showcase the city as a vibrant and dynamic destination.

“Our refreshed strategy will make sure tourism benefits and creates value for Glaswegians whether that’s helping develop careers in a visitor economy, improving people’s skills through volunteering at major events or simply providing the opportunity for people to enjoy the city’s cultural life.”

Councillor Jill Pidgeon, Labour, raised the topic of keeping the city clean and the impression that makes on tourists.

She said: “Obviously it is great to be able to attract people in but we want them to go home and say to people ‘go to Glasgow, it is great.’”

Commenting on a “lot of” ongoing work to address cleanliness, councillor Ruairi Kelly, convenor for neighbourhood services, said: “We have the roll out of the new bins hubs in Pollokshields, which is going well. We employed a number of new staff. We have new night shifts starting in certain areas of the city where there are ongoing problems and all of these things combined should in the near future result in a cleaner, more attractive city for people to come and visit.”

The strategy was prepared following consultation with stakeholders. A council report said the strategy has been led by “Glasgow Life in partnership with stakeholders: VisitScotland, Glasgow City Council, Scottish Enterprise, and industry.”

The report presented to councillors said: “The vision for the strategy is that by 2030, tourism in Glasgow will make a strong contribution to making the city an attractive place for people to live, invest, study, and visit. The value of tourism to the city’s economy will increase, as Glasgow attracts visitors who stay longer to enjoy the assets that make Glasgow unique.

“Above all, Glasgow will set an example for cities across the UK and internationally for the way that delivers tourism experiences in a way that minimises carbon emissions while maximising benefits to communities and the local economy.”