Hundreds of thousands of fans from across Scotland and beyond will descend on Edinburgh when US popstar Taylor Swift performs at Murrayfield on June 7, 8, and 9.
Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ appearance in the capital is expected to break all records to become Scotland’s biggest ever stadium show, with just under 220,000 people coming to the city across those three dates.
But with Edinburgh accommodation already commanding an eye-watering premium, Glasgow is experiencing its own Taylor-bounce, with hotel bosses reporting a ‘sharp rise in demand’ for that weekend.
Analysis of advertised online rates at AirBnB, Booking.com and Expedia, conducted by marketing firm Searchbloom, found that the average one-night-stay in Edinburgh on Friday, June 7, comes in at £686.67, with rooms on the evening of Saturday’s show averaging just £3 less.
Demand in Glasgow over the three dates is already showing signs of outstripping supply – with rates trending 25% higher than would normally be expected.
Speaking from the four star AC Hotel by Marriott Glasgow, general manager Craig Munro said that the Swift weekender is already the hotel’s most popular date since it opened in Glasgow’s new £100m Love Loan development in November last year.
The new AC Hotel is situated just a few minutes walk from Glasgow Queen Street station and its regular cheap and direct trains to Haymarket, the closest station to Murrayfield Stadium.
Craig noted that rooms on the Swift Friday night at his AC Hotel currently come in at just £209, which is higher than normal, but a much better deal than hotels at the other end of the M8.
He added that other Edinburgh hotels, which are typically priced similarly to the AC, are currently selling their June 7 rooms for nearly four times the price at £786.
“Demand for rooms is far exceeding supply,” said Craig. “We closely monitor rates across the city and they are already around 25% higher than normal — but that’s nothing compared to Edinburgh.
“There has been a knock-on effect which has triggered a sharp rise in demand in Glasgow. I reckon the city will be completely full on Friday and Saturday.
“Given our proximity to Queen Street station, we’re seeing the direct benefit of tourists staying in Glasgow and commuting to Edinburgh, not only for Taylor Swift but for other popular events like the Edinburgh Marathon, and during the Fringe too,” he said.
“Scotland’s two major cities being so close together is extremely attractive to tourists. I think Edinburgh also benefits from the amazing events that come to Glasgow. It’s undoubtedly a new ‘era’ for Glasgow – it’s becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination.”
