Glasgow tourism boost as new hotel room target set to be smashed

Plans to encourage more overnight stays in the city include building 2,500 rooms by 2023.

Figures show 42 per cent of these have already been completed, while another 3,500 are in the pipeline.

Glasgow’s Tourism and Visitor Plan aims to achieve three million overnight visits per year by 2023, delivering an associated spend of £750 million and bringing 6,600 jobs to the city.

Throughout 2017 and 2018, 1,052 rooms were built. Point A brought 122 rooms when it opened two years ago and a further five new hotels opened in 2018, providing 930 additional rooms.

These were Radisson RED, Motel One, Ibis Styles Glasgow Centre West, Moxy Merchant City and Native Glasgow.

Permission has been granted for 12 more hotels, bringing approximately 1,900 rooms. Two of these developments are scheduled to open in 2019, with seven opening in 2020. Opening dates for the final three are still to be confirmed.

Ten more developments, supplying approximately 1,600 rooms, are at various planning stages.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “These figures for hotel development show how attractive Glasgow continues to be for investors in this sector, and underlines the city’s status as a major visitor destination.

“The target of an additional 2,500 hotel rooms seems set to be met and exceeded three years early, which is a statement of the confidence that the tourism and hospitality sector - a key part of Glasgow’s economy - has in its future growth here, and this investment can only be a good thing.”

Earlier this year, Time Out Magazine put Glasgow in eighth spot in its list of the 48 best destinations in the world, placing it first for friendliness and affordability. Susan Deighan, Director of City Marketing and External Relations at Glasgow Life, said: “Glasgow is a first-choice destination for more than two million tourists every year.

“As part of the city’s Tourism and Visitor Plan to 2023, we want to increase that number by positioning Glasgow as a cultural powerhouse and the ‘gateway to Scotland’.

“From our world-class museums, to our year long programme of sporting and cultural events, Glasgow remains a beacon for tourists and if we are to increase the number of overnight stays in the city, then visitors need a range of quality accommodation options.

“The increase in hotel rooms is testament to our success and working with our partners, we look forward to further provision in the months ahead.

“Glasgow will continue to strengthen its global reputation in the years to come as a vibrant, culturally-rich destination with an unrivalled visitor experience and world-class customer service.”