Glasgow's COP26 success and the implications for business

[Iain]

Interesting article about the impact of COP26 on Glasgow and future conference business and tourism in the city:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-59359532

Tbh I got the impression from their social media that visitscotland were desperately trying to pretend COP26 and Glasgow didn't exist, but maybe not.

This was undoubtedly a huge opportunity for Glasgow. Unfortunately many people who are attracted to visit will find it's very difficult and expensive to fly here and opt not to bother, or will go to Edinburgh instead!

[PiperOne]

Certainly Glasgow's profile has been raised by the COP event, will certainly help the city's marketing bureau get conferences to bid for. Interesting to note that 80% of the conference business comes from professional or business associations, which are for members primarily. There perhaps needs to be a bit of diversification into major public and trade shows which attract media coverage. For example, Scotland has a developing renewable sector, so a Glasgow Green Tech show could piggyback on COP success. Glasgow's history was failure to capitalise on major events, such as the Garden Festival and City of Culture, COP has to be used to kickstart the economy of the City and the wider Strathclyde area.

[Paris]

Interesting article about the impact of COP26 on Glasgow and future conference business and tourism in the city:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-59359532

Tbh I got the impression from their social media that visitscotland were desperately trying to pretend COP26 and Glasgow didn't exist, but maybe not.

This was undoubtedly a huge opportunity for Glasgow. Unfortunately many people who are attracted to visit will find it's very difficult and expensive to fly here and opt not to bother, or will go to Edinburgh instead!

Cologne can be a difficult city to fly to & I use DUS to get there. Düsseldorf & Cologne are around the same distance as Glasgow & Edinburgh are from each other. It’s cheaper and easier to use.(comparison) EDI is a far more accessible destination to fly to than GLA and Central Glasgow is also easily accessed from EDI. COP26 will have enhanced the City’s profile across the globe and many will plan a trip to this new (for some) high profile destination. So using the usual booking methods Glasgow via EDI will be the easiest & cheapest, becoming the norm for many. EDI management have planned & marketed their facility this way, why wouldn’t they? It’s been made so easy for them with GLA’s lack of input, ability or enthusiasm in this field.