Glasgow Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 07 October 2024

Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and architecture. In recent years, it has seen substantial growth in tourism.

Overview

How many tourists visit Glasgow each year?

Over 685,000 international tourists travelled to Glasgow in 2023.¹

Before the pandemic between 2017 to 2019, Glasgow welcomed an average of 2.5 million international and domestic tourists annually.

In 2019, over 771,000 international tourists visited Glasgow.

Glasgow welcomed 116,000 international visitors in 2021, showing an 85% decrease compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic year).
However, Glasgow saw a recovery in 2022 with over 618,000 international visitors, an 81% increase compared to the previous year but still 20% less than 2019.
By 2023, Glasgow saw a 10.8% increase in visitors, welcoming 685,000 international tourists.

The IPS was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in no tourism data for Glasgow from April to December 2020. Available data for that period is based on models.

How many tourists visited Glasgow in 2023?

In 2023, Glasgow attracted over 685,000 international tourists, a 10.8% increase compared to 2022, though still 11.1% lower than the peak year of 2019, when over 771,000 international tourists visited the city.

How many tourists visited Glasgow in 2022?

In 2022, Glasgow welcomed over 618,000 international visitors, marking an 81% increase compared to the previous year but still 20% lower than 2019 (pre-pandemic).

How much do tourists spend in Glasgow each year?

The tourism sector is a major contributor to Glasgow’s economy generating £715 million to the city’s economy per year.

In 2019, international visitors spent over £381 million in the city.

This figure dropped to £108 million in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2022, international visitors spent over £440 million in Glasgow, reflecting a 75% increase compared to the previous year and 15% higher than 2019.

The IPS was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in no tourism data for Glasgow from April to December 2020. Available data for that period is based on models.

How much did tourists spend in Glasgow in 2022?

Glasgow ranked as the 4th highest earner among the UK’s tourism destinations in 2022, with £435 million generated from international visitors.

In terms of spending per international visitor, Glasgow ranked 10th, with an average spend of £705.

Who visits Glasgow the most?

The United States, Germany, and France consistently rank as the primary sources of international visitors to Glasgow.²

The USA contributed the most international visits to Scotland, with 794,000 in 2023, a 13% increase from the previous year.

Germany ranked second, surpassing France, with 343,000 visits, a 31% increase compared to 2022.

France followed with 355,000 visits, while the Netherlands and Spain accounted for 280,000 and 201,000 visits, respectively, in 2023.

Why do tourists visit Glasgow?

International tourists to Glasgow visit for several reasons. Besides holidays, below are the top reasons why tourists visit Glasgow.³

Holidays were the primary reason for tourists visiting Glasgow in 2022, with a total of 277,000 visits, accounting for 44.82% of all visits.
- This number was up 1,235% compared to the previous year but still 44% less than in 2019, the pre-pandemic year.

The second most common reason in 2022 was visiting friends and relatives, with 197,000 visits accounting for 31.88%.
- This number was up 258% compared to the previous year but still 17% less than in 2019.

Business trips followed, with 92,000 visits or 14.89% of total visitors in 2022.
- This number was up 156% compared to the previous year but still 7% less than in 2019.

Visits for study purposes accounted for 2.10% of total visits in 2022, with 13,000 visitors.
- This number was up 333% compared to the previous year and 86% higher than in 2019.

Additionally, miscellaneous reasons, including attending sporting events, shopping, health-related reasons, religious purposes, and others, accounted for 40,000 visits or 6.47% of total visits in 2022.
- This number was up 123% compared to the previous year and 74% higher than in 2019.

How long do international tourists spend visiting Glasgow?

2022: International visitors stayed for an average of 11 nights in Glasgow.
2021: International visitors stayed for an average of 15 nights in Glasgow.
2019: International visitors stayed for an average of 6 nights in Glasgow.

Why is Glasgow a popular tourist destination?

In 2022, Glasgow ranked as the 6th most popular destination in the UK for international visitors.

Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music, where visitors can experience a wide range of music, from traditional to contemporary genres.⁴

UK Travel Resources

What are the top tourist attractions of Glasgow?

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum: Scotland’s second most visited free attraction, showcasing history, art, Egyptian antiquities, and mediaeval armoury, with over 1.3 million visitors annually.

Celtic Park: One of the world’s most famous football stadiums, hosting special events, tours, and dining experiences. It attracts around 60,000 visitors for events and tours each year.

Buchanan Street: A major shopping thoroughfare in the heart of Glasgow’s renowned shopping district, visited by millions of shoppers annually.

Glasgow Science Centre: One of Scotland’s top tourist attractions, drawing over 300,000 visitors annually with its interactive exhibits on science and technology.

Glasgow Cathedral: The oldest cathedral in mainland Scotland, dedicated to St. Kentigern (St. Mungo), and attracting over 250,000 visitors each year.

How far is Edinburgh from Glasgow?

Edinburgh is 46.6 miles away from Glasgow, approximately a 1 hour and 10-minute drive, depending on traffic.