According to the latest tourism statistics, Glasgow is set to overtake Edinburgh as Scotland's most popular tourist destination for the first time.

Figures show that in 2014, Glasgow attracted 2.1 million domestic visitors - up 56 per cent on the previous year, and only slightly less than the 2.2m who flocked to Edinburgh.

Hotel stays were also level, with Glasgow enjoying a 44 per cent year-on-year boost to 5.27m last year compared to a slight decline for Edinburgh 5.26m stays.

The Commonwealth Games was credited with drawing the huge numbers of visitors to the city,and the trend has continued in 2015 with further large scale events, such as the World IPC Swimming Championships, World Gymnastic Championship and the prestigious Turner Prize.

The World Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow have even been hailed "better than the Olympic Games".

The endorsement came from the President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), Professor Bruno Grandi, after the event set a new benchmark for the sport across the world.

More than 590 of the world's finest gymnasts from 87 nations travelled to the city for the World Championships, which were watched by around 70,000 spectators over 10 days.

Professor Bruno Grandi said: "These World Championships have been wonderful in every aspect. I would like to thank the city, because gymnastics, this magnificent sport, needs to try to continue to organise competitions in this manner.

"By presenting them this way, the gymnasts became actors in a grand production. It was even better than the Olympic Games, and for this we owe a lot to the Glasgow 2015 Organising Committee.

"With these World Championships, we have become even more professional in our way of doing things."

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Once again Glasgow has shone on the world stage.

"It has been a real team effort but special praise must go to the gymnasts.

"They have raised the bar and history was made during 10 days of world-class sporting action."

He added: "But of course People Make Glasgow. And that was in evidence throughout these championships with thousands of fans packing into the Hydro every day.Along with our army of volunteers, they were the heart of the event."