Glasgow hotels celebrate after surge in business

HOTELS in Glasgow last month achieved the highest increase in occupancy of Scotland’s largest cities.

A report from tourism market research specialists LJ Forecaster found city hotels sold more than 74% of their rooms in December, up more than 4% from the same month in 2005.

However, occupancy levels were higher in Edinburgh where hoteliers sold more than 82% of their hotel rooms, a rise of over 2%.

Average room rates in Edinburgh grew by almost 21% to more than £113 compared with an increase of almost 5% in Glasgow to £70.

As well as the growth in occupancy, there was an i ncrease i n the number of confirmed and tentative bookings in Glasgow which are higher than last year for four out of the next six months.

Sean Morgan, managing director of LJ Research, said winter events drove up demand for hotel rooms in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

He added: “It appears these events benefitted Scotland’s two largest cities the most. While lower average room rate growth was recorded in Glasgow compared to Edinburgh, the 4.5% growth in room occupancy in Glasgow is very positive.

“Indeed compared to two years ago, occupancy in Glasgow in December has increased by over 7%.”

City council leader Frank McAveety said hotel occupancy in December was the highest it had ever been for the festive period.

He added: “Levels reached greater than 90% on 10 separate nights returning healthy yields for our hoteliers and reinforcing the visitor appeal of our Glasgow Loves Christmas campaign and unrivalled shopping.”