Tourism and events industry to come together for the launch of Glasgow 2030 Tourism Strategy
Glasgow's tourism and events industry will meet for the official launch of the city’s refreshed tourism strategy.
Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 29 September 2023 9:03
Image Credit: Glasgow Life. All rights reserved
Representatives will gather at Trades House on Thursday 26 October, to learn more about the plan and how it will strengthen Glasgow as a tourist destination.
It will be the first time the industry has come together since the strategy was approved at Glasgow City Council’s City Administration Committee on Thursday 28 September.
Glasgow is a successful tourist destination, which attracted 2.65 million visitors in 2022 who stayed in the city as part of a holiday or short break.
They brought an associated spend to the city of £953 million and overnight visitors stayed for three nights on average. Additionally, the tourism sector also supports over 28,000 full-time jobs in Glasgow.*
The Glasgow 2030 Tourism Strategy outlines plans to grow the value of tourism in the city by delivering for visitors, businesses, communities, and the environment. The goal is for tourism to make an even stronger contribution to making Glasgow an attractive place for people to live in, invest in, study, meet, and visit.
Five strategic priorities have been established to meet Glasgow’s new tourism vision and ambitions, which are aligned with the national tourism strategy Scotland Outlook 2030.
These priorities are:
1. Increase the value of tourism to Glasgow’s economy.
2. Enhance the experiences that we offer.
3. Create value for Glasgow’s people through the tourism sector.
4. Support vibrant places across the city and surrounding region.
5. Deliver tourism in a sustainable and inclusive way.
Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “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 the 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.
“The strategy also focuses on enhancing the incredible experiences our city has to offer to give visitors and locals reasons to keep returning to Glasgow. This means continuing to invest in and improve our wonderful attractions and globally recognised programme of year-round events and festivals.
“Sustainability and inclusivity are increasingly important for people when choosing where to travel for both business and leisure. Glasgow is already a leading sustainable tourism and conference destination and is ranked 6th in the world and 1st in the UK on the Global Destination Sustainability Index. Our strategy will build on this by supporting the industry to build a sustainable tourism sector and championing green change.”
Glasgow is a contemporary and affordable city, which is attractive for today’s millennial traveller. It is also a first-choice destination for more than two million tourists annually.
As a UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow has a wide variety of iconic music venues which welcome globally renowned artists throughout the year. This includes the OVO Hydro, Barrowland Ballroom and King Tuts. It is also known for its bustling nightlife and selection of nightclubs.
The city has an enviable calendar of festivals and major concerts, from Celtic Connections and the World Pipe Band Championships to Glasgow Mela and TRNSMT. Glasgow has delivered numerous major events, most recently the inaugural 2023 UCI World Cycling Championships.
It is home to world-class museums, galleries and attractions and a rich architectural heritage. Moreover, there is a thriving and diverse food and drink scene as well as a range of quality accommodations.
Bailie Christie added: “Glasgow’s growing range of hotels and good transport links make it the perfect base to explore the city and surrounding areas. Our refreshed tourism plan will build on this and support continued investment in key assets such as the SEC and Glasgow Airport. We will also work with local businesses and communities to improve the appeal of the city centre and other neighbourhoods across Glasgow.”
Glasgow Life has developed the refreshed tourism strategy in collaboration with VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise, Glasgow City Council and representatives from across Glasgow’s tourism business community, including Glasgow Airport.
VisitScotland’s Chief Executive Malcolm Roughead is part of the Glasgow Tourism Partnership leadership group and said: “This summer, with the Banksy show attracting record numbers and the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds wowing crowds across the city, Glasgow has yet again made headlines around the world, both as a leading cultural destination and as an expert host of major international events.
“By embracing responsible tourism, this new strategy to 2030 sets out a blueprint to build on such successes and continue to bring far-reaching benefits for our visitors, businesses and the residents of neighbourhoods across Glasgow.
“We will be working alongside our partners and the industry in Glasgow to help deliver the new strategy, so that tourism continues to be a force for good, creating jobs and enriching the city’s communities.”
Mark Johnston, Chief Operating Officer at AGS Airports which operates Glasgow Airport, said: “Strong air connectivity and a successful tourism sector go hand-in-hand, so it is welcome to see support for the airport highlighted as a priority within this strategy. As Scotland’s largest city with a proud cultural heritage and an enviable list of world class attractions, Glasgow has so much to offer. This strategy sets out a clear framework to bring the public and private sector together to enhance our city’s profile, attract more domestic and international visitors and in doing so, ensure local people can share in the economic and social benefits that tourism undoubtedly delivers.”
Glasgow is recognised as having the UK’s best Convention Bureau, as voted for by clients, responsible for securing major domestic and international conference business by working with partners such as the SEC, the city’s hotel sector and universities.
In 2017, it also became the first-ever convention bureau to win a Green Tourism Award. The tourism strategy will integrate the actions set out in the Sustainable Tourism and Conventions Action Plan. This emphasises Glasgow’s commitment to becoming one of Europe’s most sustainable cities.
The convention bureau has also partnered with AccessAble and the Royal College of Nursing to launch the city's first access guide for delegates. The online resource gives conference attendees, with access requirements, detailed information on over 60 venues and services across the city.
The strategy will build on the success of the previous Glasgow Tourism and Visitor Plan 2017-23 and continue to strengthen our attractiveness in the years to come as a culturally rich city with an unrivalled visitor experience.
You can read the full Glasgow 2030 Tourism Strategy by visiting glasgowtourismandvisitorplan.com
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Pavilion Festival Unveils 2025 Lineup with James, Ewan McVicar, Annie Mac, Ben Hemsley, Happy Mondays and more
Pavilion Festival has today announced the huge lineup for its third year on Ayr Beach with James, Annie Mac, Happy Mondays, Ewan McVicar, Ben Hemsley and more playing live!
READ MORE
Ricky Tomlinson returns to head the cast in this fantastic feelgood musical comedy
Smash-hit musical comedy Irish Annie's is embarking on a new major nationwide tour in 2025, returning to the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow on 13th June!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries launches its Made in Glasgow 2025 initiative, encouraging the next generation to reimagine the future of retail
Buchanan Galleries has launched its enterprise challenge, Made in Glasgow, today with St Mungos Academy and Shawlands Academy.
READ MORE
Full cast announced for Death Of A Salesman, coming to Glasgow in March
Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman, one of the greatest plays of the Twentieth Century is coming to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow as part of a new tour starring David Hayman.
READ MORE
Trust launches storm appeal following extensive damage across Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland has launched an appeal to support emergency work needed to deal with the devastating destruction caused by Storm Éowyn.
READ MORE
Galactic Carnival is landing in Glasgow
Scotland’s favourite out-of-this-world event, Galactic Carnival, is preparing to launch in Glasgow this spring, promising an intergalactic adventure packed with thrills!
READ MORE
Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show launches a mythical map of Scotland with lead Scottish tour company
The biggest show of its kind in Scotland has partnered with Andy The Highlander to create an Enchanted Map of Scotland's most enchanted locations.
READ MORE
Scottish hospitality group serves up new digital loyalty scheme to cut customer bills
Scottish hospitality group, Signature, has launched an innovative new digital loyalty scheme to help cost-conscious customers save money dining out.
READ MORE
Flight Club announces epic competition to celebrate 10th Birthday
The Social Darts bar, with venues in Glasgow and Edinburgh, turns 10 this year and kicks off the year-long celebrations with a seriously cool competition!
READ MORE
Silverburn champions future leaders through Braveheart Challenge
Over 80 pupils from St Paul's High School in Pollok took part in the national enterprise programme.
READ MORE
Scottish Golf events go LIVE for 2025
Top amateurs and handicap golfers can now sign up for one or more of Scottish Golf's 33 championships in a packed 2025 schedule.
READ MORE
Live Music Now Scotland announces unparalleled new award
Live Music Now Scotland is delighted to announce a funding award of £150,000 from Elizabeth Lornie's Charitable Trust.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival returns to Ayr Beach with Saturday lineup curated by Ewan McVicar
Pavilion Festival Presents: Ewan McVicar B2B Ben Hemsley, special guest Annie Mac, along with DJ Seinfeld, Sally C, Robert Hood (Floorplan) and more on Saturday 3rd May!
READ MORE
BBC Debate Night returns for 2025
BBC Scotland's topical TV programme Debate Night returns this month and they are searching for people to be part of the big studio audience.
READ MORE
Looking For Laughs: The dating show with a difference
Are you tired of the same old dating shows? Ready for something new, fresh, and LOL funny? Look no further than Looking for Laughs, the dating show that's turning the concept upside down!
READ MORE
First Look: Mar Hall to reopen in Spring 2025
Spearheaded by independent Glasgow-based design studio, Graven, the renovation will see a complete transformation and expansion of one of Scotland’s most established heritage hotels.
READ MORE
Strictly professional Janette Manrara to make stage debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago The Musical at the Kings Theatre Glasgow
The King's Theatre are delighted to announce that former Strictly Come Dancing professional Janette Manrara will join the UK tour of CHICAGO as Roxie Hart, making her musical theatre debut!
READ MORE
Celebrate Chinese New Year with a roster of blockbusters at Vue venues in Scotland
Vue venues across Scotland will be showcasing a mixture of the latest big screen blockbusters from China as well as an anniversary screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
READ MORE
Dine out for under a tenner as Platform announces its new lunchtime offering
Platform announces its new lunchtime offering to help beat those January Blues without breaking the bank.
READ MORE
Glasgow student becomes first ever Scottish voice to feature on Ring video doorbells
A woman from Glasgow has become the first ever Scottish voice to be heard on Ring Video Doorbells, following a nationwide casting search by the smart home security company.
READ MORE
Top attractions reward local residents with special offers to say thank you and celebrate Glasgow 850
Glasgow Attractions have launched a series of special offers to celebrate Glasgow 850 and to thank residents for making the city a great place to visit!
READ MORE
Dobbies free February workshops
Dobbies Garden Centres’ popular Little Seedlings Club and Grow How workshops return for February, inviting gardeners and families to get hands-on at these free sessions.
READ MORE
Casting announced for Scottish premiere of Tina
The King's Theatre Glasgow are delighted to announce the full cast for the Scottish premiere of hit production Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, as part of its first ever UK and Ireland tour.
READ MORE
Full programme announced for Glasgow Film Festival 2025
Glasgow Film Festival 2025 has announced the full programme for its 21st edition. Scotland's largest annual celebration of cinema will showcase 92 World, UK and Scottish premieres from 39 countries.
READ MORE
Glasgow 850 kicks off a year of festivities with programme launch
Glasgow City Council has officially launched its Glasgow 850 programme for 2025, a spectacular year-long celebration marking 850 years since the city gained Burgh status!
READ MORE
Karen Hauer & Gorka Marquez are back with their biggest ever tour for 2025!
Strictly Come Dancing professionals Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez are thrilled to bring their all-new show SPEAKEASY to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall next month!
READ MORE
Social run club marks 1st Anniversary with complimentary hosted run and coffee morning
Glasgow's leading running club, Solemates, is marking its first anniversary in style by teaming up with Granary Quay to host a unique social run club and coffee morning.
READ MORE
New opening: The Noble Public House is set to launch in Glasgow city centre
The Noble is set to open next month in Glasgow's city centre, re-imagining the classic British pub and taking an elevated yet unpretentious approach to hospitality.
READ MORE
WestFest is back for its third annual festival this June
After a successful 2024 festival, comprising over 130 events and reaching total audience numbers of over 110,000, the third annual WestFest will take place this year from 1st to 29th June.
READ MORE
Pawsome New Year Resolutions remove over 39 million pieces of litter
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution have boosted the ranks of the “PAWS ON PLASTIC’ charity to 27,000.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links