Hotel and B&B occupancy rates rise during events
ROOM occupancy rates in Glasgow hotels and B&Bs enjoyed a major boost during the Commonwealth Games, new research shows.
The Commonwealth Games Visitor Impact Study and Commonwealth Games Accommodation Occupancy report estimated 250,000 people stayed overnight during the games.
There were 22,500 overseas visitors who spent an average of ten nights. For visitors from the rest of the UK the figure was 5.5 nights.
Overall, 690,000 visitors spent approximately £282 million attending Games events.
The reports, commissioned by the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, showed the impact the Games had on hotel and B&B occupancy rates.
The average spend per day was £57 for day visitors and £125 for overnight visitors. The research claimed this was “well above” the industry average of £48 and £68.
A total of 94% of B&B rooms and 95% of hotel rooms in Glasgow and Clyde Valley were occupied during the events. This was up 25% and 12% on the same period last year.
The impact was also felt around Scotland, with self-catering occupancy up 30% in Ayrshire and Arran; up 17% in Aberdeen and Grampian; and up 20% in the Borders.
Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “In the city during August, the average hotel occupancy rate was over 95%, with this exceeding 99% on five nights that month.
“These fantastic figures
reflect Glasgow’s ever-growing reputation as a visitor destination and the pulling power
of the city’s events programme.”
