Glasgow’s reputation as a trusted host for signature events and experiences makes it a hub for post-Covid destination innovation.

Glasgow is internationally recognised as a destination in its own right because of its hospitality, retail appeal and ability to consistently and professionally cater to a vast array of high-level meetings and events. The city has become a proficient and creative year-round host of large-scale conventions, accommodating significant increases in tourist visits and growing demand for memorable cultural experiences. Glasgow's mix of venues and activities, willingness to experiment and high value for money create a retail and events scene that has become globally acclaimed while being both accessible and family-friendly. As urban consumers begin to demand more authentic, fresh and unique experiences, Glasgow’s reputation for being able to reliably deliver will help underpin its economic renewal against this demanding and ever-changing backdrop.

"Pre-COVID, Glasgow was voted Europe’s leading Festival and Event destination in 2019, ahead of Barcelona, Dublin and London."

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"Glasgow is the top ranked mid-sized city globally for the vibrancy and variety of its cultural and lifestyle offering (based on data from both pre and post-Covid 19)."

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"Pre-COVID, Glasgow ranked as the city with the highest retail market spend potential in the UK outside London, and 11th in Europe."

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"Pre-COVID, with an annual footfall of 57 million, Buchanan Street was the 2nd busiest retail thoroughfare in the UK after Oxford Street."

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"Pre-COVID, among its size category (10,000 - 15,000 capacity), the SSE Hydro Arena ranked 1st in the world on the Global Billboard Chart."

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"In 2019, Glasgow was rated as one of the top 10 cities in the world for the percentage of restaurants, hotels and attractions in possession of a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence awarded for consistently high levels of customer service and strong online reviews."

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"The Glasgow Convention Bureau was in 2021 named the UK's Best Convention Bureau for a record-breaking 15th year at the influential Meetings & Incentive Travel (M&IT) Awards."

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"Glasgow is a top 5 European city for the overall cumulative impact and legacy of the city’s Sporting events."

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"Pre-COVID, Glasgow ranked in the top 10 among mid-sized European cities, 3rd in the UK and 19th globally for digital visibility (online mentions), ahead of Edinburgh, Stockholm and Zurich."

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"Glasgow is ranked in the top 15 cities in Europe for citizen satisfaction with cultural facilities."

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"Pre-COVID, Glasgow was 3rd in the UK for number of high-level rotating meetings and conferences hosted in 2017-2018, and ranks in the top 50 globally."

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"Pre-COVID, Glasgow was 2nd in the UK and in the top 35 globally for the number of annual participants at ICCA registered rotating meetings and conferences, with over 30,000 participants."

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"Glasgow Fort continues its reign as the UK's top-ranked out-of-town retail park destination."

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"Pre-Covid, Glasgow was 4th globally among mid-sized cities for number of concerts."

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"Glasgow maintains its place as one of the world's top 5 Ultimate Sports Cities. With a sporting infrastructure now the largest in the UK outside of London, it allows the city to host elite competitions such as the 2018 European Championships."

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"Glasgow is a top 25 European city for all-round success as a MICE tourism destination."

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"Glasgow is among the top 20 cities globally to be a sports fan."

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"Glasgow was one of twelve cities to host the UEFA European Championships in 2021."

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"Glasgow is home to the Mitchell Library, one of the largest public reference libraries in Europe, with over 2 million books spread across 13 floors."

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"Pre-Covid, Glasgow had the highest number of independent (local) businesses per head among major UK cities."

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"Glasgow has been voted the best UK city for a staycation city-break in 2021."

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">95% of the city's hotel rooms (>7,000) are within 30 mins of the Scottish Events Campus (SEC)."

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"Since 2005, local ambassadors have brought more than 1,700 conferences from across a to Glasgow, worth £650m."

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"Glasgow has been recognised as the number 4th in the world for its commitment to sustainable business tourism."

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"Pre-Covid, Glasgow hosted the most major events per year of any UK city outside of London."

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"Glasgow ranks 3rd in a new study of the UK’s foremost event capitals."

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"One of only 19 designated UNESCO Cities of Music in Europe, pre-Covid Glasgow hosted on average 130 music events per week - more than any other UK city outside London - and has recently hosted major music events such as the MTV Europe Awards and the MOBOs."

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"Glasgow is ranked as the 26th best city for sport globally."

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"Glasgow has been rated as the UK’s third funniest city."

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"Glasgow has won the bid to be the 2023 European Capital of Sport, making it the 1st city in Europe to have held the title twice."

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"Glasgow and Scotland will host the inaugural UCI World Cycling Championships in 2023."

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"Glasgow is 6th in the UK for the number of Michelin-starred restaurants."

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"Pre-COVID, the number of international overnight visitors to the city had grown by 150% since 2012."

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"Frasers Group’s Flannels recently opened its first dedicated “Flannels Junior” designed childrenswear store in Glasgow."

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"Pre-COVID, Glasgow's Creative Industries (CI) turn over nearly £1.5 billion annually."

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"In 2021, Glasgow restaurant Cail Bruich earned the city’s first Michelin Star in 18 years."

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"Glasgow ranks 6th globally for the concentration of unique and unusual visitor attractions and experiences, or 3rd for unusual and unique historic and cultural experiences."

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"In the year to November 2020, the SSE Hydro Arena was among the top 10 arena venues globally for ticket sales."

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"Glasgow is the second most productive UK city for retail space outside of London (based on sales density)."

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"Glasgow has won the Best UK Convention Bureau 2022 title for 16 consecutive years with the SEC also winning the Gold Award for Best UK Convention Centre."

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