GLASGOW TOURISM BOOST AS HOTEL OCCUPANCY RATES FOR MAY SHOW YEAR-ON-YEAR INCREASE
Glasgow’s tourism industry is thriving in spite of the economic downturn according to new figures which show hotel occupancy in the city rose by 4% in May compared to the same time last year.
Last month, occupancy rose to 77%, compared to 73% in May 2008, making it the second highest May figure in more than 10 years.
The successful visitor numbers come on the back of a busy month for Glasgow as it saw 1,200 delegates descend on the city over three days for the Association of Surgeons conference at the SECC, as well as playing host to the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships and the Gymnastics Grand Prix.
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau was directly involved in bringing in the Association of Surgeons conference to the city and has played an active role in attracting a number of major conferences and events to Glasgow throughout 2009.
Scott Taylor, Chief Executive of GCMB, said: “These figures prove that Glasgow continues to be seen throughout the world as an attractive short break destination, as well as a top-class location for major sporting events, conferences and exhibitions.
While these numbers are extremely encouraging, GCMB will continue to work hard together with its partners to ensure Glasgow remains a popular destination in what is a highly competitive environment”
GCMB is currently pursuing business leads worth a potential £35 million following a highly successful trip to one of the world’s largest trade shows for conventions, conferences and incentive travel in Frankfurt last month.
Mark Gallagher, co-chair of the Greater Glasgow Hotels Association, said: “It is a tremendous achievement to show such year on year growth in hotel occupancy in such difficult economic times. Both business and leisure tourism grew significantly on last year and this is reward indeed for the hard work and endeavours of the hotels, GCMB and the SECC in making Glasgow a financially attractive destination.
The GGHA feels slightly optimistic about the coming months and it is only through the Team Glasgow approach that we will continue to show growth going forward”.
Ends
Issued by and further information from:
Andrew Harrow – Public Relations Assistant
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Tel: +44 (0) 141 566 0837
Fax: +44 (0) 141 566 0855
Note to editors:
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau is the official destination marketing organisation for Glasgow, engaged in national and international activity comprising: development and implementation of the city branding campaign: Glasgow: Scotland with style; event creation, attraction, management and marketing; conventions, incentives, meetings and exhibition sales; conference and event accommodation bookings and optimisation of the website www.seeglasgow.com
June 2009