Press release -
Sleep on it!
With the countdown firmly on to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, VisitScotland is urging those still looking to book somewhere to stay to visit its website.
The national tourism organisation has been working with a number of partners across the industry to create an online “one-stop shop” of accommodation options so that visitors can enjoy all the cultural and sporting action no matter where they are staying.
It’s believed the activity, which has been ongoing for several months, has identified thousands of new rooms.
Suggestions range from hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs across the country, to temporary campsites, short-term lets and services which allow people to rent out their houses and spare rooms.
With up to one and a half million people expected to descend on Glasgow from 23 July to 3 August, many Scots have decided to welcome visitors during Games time by opening up their homes.
Web initiatives such as Homestay.com, which matches guests searching for accommodation with hosts, Sporteventsrentmyhouse.com or Airbnb, who recently launched a page dedicated to accommodation listings which will be available during the time of the Games, have offered users a secure way to find and rent private homes.
Another company, Campingninja, recently announced a third temporary campsite offering pitches for up to 1500 people in the Lochinch/Pollokshaws West area of Glasgow.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “The Commonwealth Games is our chance to show the world that Scotland’s tourism icons, world-class events prowess and renowned Scottish hospitality. VisitScotland is maximising the economic impact of the Games by recruiting a variety of accommodation businesses to our website, ensuring visitors have access to affordable accommodation options during their trip. We want as many people have possible to join us for what will be a spectacular summer of sport and culture.”
For more information on accommodation options available during the Commonwealth Games visit:
http://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/glasgow-commonwealth-games-2014/accommodation or contact: 0845 148 6040.
ENDS
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- corporate communications
- glasgow 2014 commonwealth games
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors:
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation has three key roles:
- To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
- To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
- To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations
- VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- 2014 is the year Scotland welcomes the world, when it hosts the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and more than 800 Homecoming events throughout the country.For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2014, go to www.visitscotland.com
- The VisitScotland Information Centre network is a unique face-to-face channel engaging with around five million visitors and locals each year. Everyone who uses a VisitScotland Information Centre goes on to spend an additional £5.35, generating over £24 million for Scotland’s economy.
- According to a recent Deloitte study, tourism employs 270,000 people in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the industry contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
- For more information on VisitScotland’s annual review please go to www.visitscotland.org/about_us/our_focus/annual_report.aspx
