Glasgow performed well in March despite a drop in average room rate across Scotland’s three key cities, according to new figures from tourism research firm LJ Research.
The LJ Forecaster Scottish Intercity Report found despite a fall in average room rates in Glasgow to £68.91, 0.5% drop on the same time last year, the city’s occupancy rose a solid 5.7% to 82% – the highest March occupancy ever achieved in the city.
As a result, revenue per available room (RevPAR) was up 5.1% on the same time last year, to reach £56.45
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB) said the strong result can be attributed to a number of events and conferences that took place in the city, including the Annual Congress of the European Atherosclerosis Society and the Scottish National Party spring convention, along with a host of music and sporting events.
Scott Taylor, chief executive of GCMB, said: “The 12 days of the Commonwealth Games have translated into 15 consecutive months of growth in Glasgow with some of the highest occupancy rates on record in the city.
“This is the legacy of the games, which will be felt in Glasgow for the next decade. Our research shows that occupancy in Glasgow last month was the strongest of any major city in the UK and Europe.”
Demand for hotel accommodation in Aberdeen continued to decline, occupancy fell to 67.6%, down 8% compared with March 2014, while average room rates fell 3.2% to £93.30. RevPAR in turn dropped by 11%, reaching £63.49.
Rooms rates in Edinburgh also decreased in March to £83.10, down 4% on the same time last year. Occupancy however increased slightly to reach 75.4%, up 1.3%. RevPAR was down 2.7% to £62.66.
