Mad March for Glasgow Hotels as Occupancy Figures Soar
Since the launch of Glasgow: Scotland with style just three years ago, 360,000 additional tourists have visited the city, equating to £41.7 million in local economic benefit.
This success is vividly borne out by the latest figures compiled by the Greater Glasgow Hotels Association City of Glasgow Forecaster, which reports that average occupancy of Glasgow hotels in March 07 was 78% - an increase of 9% over the same period in 2006 - and the highest since records began seven years ago.
These latest statistics indicate that the city has ended the financial year 06-07 with an overall average hotel occupancy figure of 75.3%.
Councillor Alex Mosson, chairman of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "“Glasgow City Council’s investment in repositioning Glasgow is paying off, and the current boom in tourism is creating sustainable jobs and a prosperous Glasgow.”
Scott Taylor, Chief Executive – Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, added: “Busy hotels of course also equate to good news for other local businesses including our retailers, restaurateurs, visitor attractions and conference and event venues.”
“What these latest record-breaking figures prove is that an over-arching city brand, can - and does - make a difference to Glasgow’s economic prosperity.”
Dominic McVey, Co-Chair of Greater Glasgow Hotel Association and General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Glasgow, added: “There was a noticeable increase in the number of convention delegates and leisure guests visiting the city during 2006/07 and we are delighted at the much better than expected high hotel occupancy figure for March.
“The city’s repositioning as Glasgow: Scotland with style is most definitely delivering results.”
Growing awareness of Glasgow’s repositioning is also reflected in a spate of recent awards such as ‘Favourite UK City’ by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller; receiving the Gold Award for ‘Best Brand Marketing Campaign’ at the Meetings Industry Marketing Awards and the top marketing award from the International Congress and Convention Association.
ENDS
Further information from:
Moira Dyer, Senior Manager – Public Relations
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Tel: 0044 (0) 141 566 0831
Email: moira.dyer@seeglasgow.com
Note to Editors:
1. Greater Glasgow Hotels Association City of Glasgow Forecaster is produced by Lynn Jones Research Ltd. using data collected from 23 Glasgow hotels, representing 4,069 rooms