Glaswegians to be asked to act as tourists in city
GLASWEGIANS will be asked to become “tourists in their own city” – when lockdown restrictions are lifted – as part of a campaign to boost the tourism and hospitality sectors.
The industries have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with hotels, shops, pubs and clubs forced to close. Glasgow Life reports leisure and business tourism contributes more than £660million to the city’s economy annually and supports 30,000 jobs.
Depute leader of Glasgow City Council, David McDonald, who is also the chairman of Glasgow Life, said saving those job has “got to be our key focus”.
A Glasgow Tourism and Events Response Group has been set up to draw expertise from across the private and public sectors.
The group includes representatives from the city council, Greater Glasgow Hotels Association,
Glasgow’s Leading Attractions, Glasgow Restaurants Association, Glasgow Airport, Visit Scotland and Scottish Enterprise.
Mr McDonald emphasised Glaswegians are still being asked to follow current guidance and travel no more than five miles. But as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, with more changes possible next week, a marketing campaign will encourage people to explore the city.
The councillor said Glasgow has “fantastic architecture, amazing parks, shops and great restaurants offering takeaway food”. He hopes residents will discover “hidden gems” in their own neighbourhoods and visit other parts of the city.
Queen’s Park and Govanhill was named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK by travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller last week and Mr McDonald suggested people might choose to visit there as well as popular areas such as Finnieston.
The organisation has set out four eliminate all “unnecessary” plastic by 2030.
Glasgow City confirmed that the position to reduce plastic remains unchanged despite challenges faced due to the pandemic.
A spokesman said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge in countless ways and has clearly affected how we consume products over the last three months.
“It is understandable if people are relying on single-use, disposable plastics when they have concerns about phases – Respond, Reset, Restart and Recovery – and is now moving from a “complete pause” to “proactive steps for restart”.
Mr McDonald said a “Kitemark” style safety system could be introduced so it is clear when a premises has been checked and is safe to use.
A night-time economy group has been looking at the challenges in the hospitality industry, including how the council can be “more flexible” around licensing and planning rules, which would allow venues to have social distancing.
Mr McDonald said: “There’s no doubt that Covid-19 will fundamentally change the global tourism industry and there’s a number of emerging factors for us to consider in developing our destination marketing activities to support the city’s recovery.
“All the evidence points to domestic markets being the first to recover, so our initial focus will be on activity that brings our citizens out to support local businesses and then attracts the day-trip and Scottish staycation markets.”
He added it was key “that Glaswegians have their voices heard” and encouraged people to contact their councillors if they have ideas.
During the lockdown, Glasgow Life has shared content online to “shine a light on the city’s online shopping and food and drink scenes”.
It is also planning to showcase “the great outdoor experiences and spaces that Glasgow has to offer”. street space for