Glasgow hospitality sector 'buzzing' for return of Commonwealth Games
Scotland’s biggest city will become home to competitors from all over the world for the second time, having hosted the Games in 2014.
Glasgow hospitality chiefs are "buzzing" and "ready to welcome guests from around the globe’" after it was confirmed the city will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Scotland’s biggest city will become home to competitors from all over the world for the second time, having hosted the Games in 2014.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) gave Glasgow the green light yesterday, replacing the original choice, Victoria, Australia.
Plans were scrapped there after it was revealed it would cost the state 589 million Australian dollars.
'2014 was our busiest summer ever'
Hospitality bosses say it is good news for Glasgow’s bars, restaurants and hotels - as the 2014 games reported a ‘tremendous boost’ to the hospitality industry.
A total of £282 million-worth of tourism was reportedly brought in, as 690,000 people travelled to the city to attend the games.
Glasgow hoteliers celebrated as occupancy sat at 95% for August 2014 while the average room yield soared by 21.3%.
Nadine Carmichael is head of sales and marketing for DRG; a hospitality heavyweight with a number of beloved Glasgow restaurants on its roster, including The Anchor Line, Cafe Andaluz and DiMaggio’s.
She said: “Without doubt, 2014 was our busiest summer ever.
"To see this amount of visitors to our city once again will be just incredible. We’re looking forward to seeing diners from all over the world."
'There's a real feeling of excitement'
This impact on the local community is something Liz Breckenridge, head of commercial at Glasgow Kelvin College, is ‘excited’ to see again.
Liz said: “We saw in 2014 that events such as the Commonwealth Games lift up the communities we serve.
"There’s a real feeling of excitement in the air at Glasgow Kelvin College. This is especially felt by all those studying sport.
"Seeing what can be achieved, right on their doorstep, will have an immeasurable impact on their motivation - I’m sure they will be totally inspired.
"There’s a long-term effect here. The Games will create a number of job opportunities for students, like ours, graduating and entering the world of work.
"Our campus was used for the UCI Cycling World Championships last year which was amazing - let’s hope we can play a similar role in 2026. Amid challenges that currently face the college sector, news of the Games coming back to Glasgow is so welcome.”