Glasgow Tourism Statistics

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.

Over 736,000 international tourists traveled to Glasgow in 2024¹.

• 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% fewer than 2019 levels.
• By 2023, Glasgow saw a 10.8% increase in visitors, welcoming 685,000 international tourists. 736,000 international visitors came to Glasgow in 2024, a 7.4% more than in 2023 but still 4.5% below 2019 levels.

The IPS was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in no tourism data for Edinburgh in 2020

How many tourists visited Glasgow in 2024?

• Glasgow welcomed over 736,000 international visitors in 2024, marking a 7.4% increase compared to the previous year but still 20% lower than 2019 (pre-pandemic).

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 4.5% lower than the peak year of 2019, when over 771,000 international tourists visited the city.

The United States, Germany, and France consistently rank as the primary sources of international visitors to Glasgow².

• The USA contributed the most international visits to Scotland, with 794,000 in 2024, a 13% increase from the previous year.
• France ranked second, with 355,000 visits.
• Germany followed with 343,000 visits, while the Netherlands and Spain accounted for 280,000 and 201,000 visits, respectively, in 2024.

In 2024, Glasgow’s visitor demographic was dominated by the 25-34 age group, attracting 179,000 visitors.

• The 55-64 age group was the second largest, with 153,000 visitors
• This was followed by the 35-44 age group and the 45-54 age group, with each group accounting for 145,000 visitors.
• Seniors aged 65 or over (59,000) and younger visitors aged 16-24 (53,000) also made up a notable share.
• Children aged 0-15 (2,000) represented the smallest visitor groups.

• 2024: International visitors stayed for an average of 6 nights in Glasgow.
• 2023: International visitors stayed for an average of 6 nights in 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 2023, Glasgow ranked as the 5th 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 genres⁴.

• 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.