Glasgow tourism should do more to promote itself as international music destination

Published on : Friday, May 18, 2018

 
Currently, Glasgow’s vibrant music scene generates £160 million for the local economy; however, the report has revealed that only two percent of attendees travel to the city from outside Scotland.

 
The report has mentioned 22 recommendations for promoting the city’s vibrant music scene to international tourists. Among them are dedicated music district across the city, launching interactive digital maps, promoting live music at Glasgow Airport, introducing techno tours, and establishing a Glasgow Music Subway Trail.

 
Dougal Perman, chair of the Scottish Music Industry Association said, “Glasgow is a world-class, world-renowned city of music. Now we just need to tell the world. Music tourism makes a significant contribution to the economy but most of the money spent on music events in the city comes from locals. Glasgow’s high reputation at home and abroad is undervalued and under-exploited. There is great potential but more work needs to be done to learn from the experience of others and to design practical affordable and cost-effective interventions which would command the support of the industry.”

 
Claire Bereziat, lecturer in International Tourism Management at Glasgow Caledonian University said, “Glasgow has a phenomenal music product but it is undersold. Everybody wants to play Glasgow and the crowds are famous throughout the world but we need to promote the stories behind our venues, and the thriving scene, to capitalise on that reputation.”