The city of Glasgow attracts around 2.8 million visitors
who generate £700 million for the local economy. Business tourism
has seen the biggest growth. Convention sales reached £148
million for 2006/2007, more than double the sales in the
previous year.
The target over the next 10 years is to achieve up to 80% growth
in tourism business. In support of this there is a need to attract more hotels to the
city.
Clyde Waterfront is also playing an important role in developing
the tourism product. The Clyde Waterfront
Heritage (opens in new window) project is designed to
attract visitors to the area. Key attractions already in the
area are the SECC and Glasgow Science
Centre (open in new window).
The site is being prepared for the new Riverside Museum at Glasgow
Harbour and this free attraction will be joined by a retail and
leisure complex currently being planned by retail experts Peel
Holdings. The Kelvingrove New Century project demonstrates
Glasgow's skills in developing major attractions. Within 6
months of re-opening, the museum and gallery had welcomed 2 million
visitors.
At Braehead near Renfrew, Xscape (opens in new
window) opened in 2006 with the star attraction of an indoor real
snow ski slope supported by climbing attractions, bowling, golf and
football experiences plus restaurants, bars and shops.
In Clydebank the Titan Crane, one of five huge
cranes on the Clyde, has been refurbished.
Visitors are able to walk along the jib and look out over
the river.
Nearer the city centre The Quay leisure park has been
expanding to include additional restaurants and a major casino.
There are many smaller business opportunities
in Glasgow and surrounding waterfront areas, with mixed-use
developments including cafés, restaurants and bars. For
example Quay India opened in 2005 as part of the Lancefield Quay
residential development.