LANARKSHIRE can now attract more conferences, meetings and events as new findings show there has been a significant increase in the area’s accommodation provision, with the number of beds available now nearly 8,000.
Commissioned by North Lanarkshire Council on behalf of both North and South Lanarkshire Councils the Tourism Accommodation Audit shows that there has been a 12 per cent increase in the amount of bed-space in the region since 1999, the last time a study of this scale was conducted.
More beds
Bed space is now estimated to accommodate 7,862 sleepers at any one time across all types of visitor accommodation from branded hotels such as Hilton Strathclyde, Macdonald Crutherland House, Westerwood Q Hotels and Holiday Inn Express to independent hotels such as New Lanark Mill and a range of guest houses and B&B’s.
The research also shows that 84 per cent of bed stock comes from the serviced sector such as hotels and 16 per cent from the non-serviced sector such as self-service apartments.
In total there were 3,069 bedrooms available across Lanarkshire in 2015. Of these, North Lanarkshire makes up 1,265 while South Lanarkshire offers 1,804 rooms. There has been a total increase of 532 bedrooms since 1999 in which the number was 2,537.
Hotels account for more than two in every three (69 per cent) bedrooms available while self-catered accommodation accounts for eight per cent.
More occupants
Part of the study includes research conducted by TNS for VisitScotland which shows that in Glasgow and the Clyde Valley occupancy rates increased significantly from 2012 to 2014 across the majority of visitor accommodation options:
- In hotels – annual average occupancy increased from 70 per cent in 2012 to 77 per cent in 2014.
- In self-service – average occupancy increased from 48 per cent in 2012 to 57 per cent in 2014
Chair of the Lanarkshire Area Tourism Partnership, Mark Calpin; said: “Following a year of hosting world class events, including the rowing and triathlon events at Strathclyde Country Park as part of the Commonwealth Games and the Pearl Izumi Tour Series in Motherwell, Lanarkshire has proved itself as an events destination.
“We want to capitalise on this and welcome more events as well as meetings and conferences to the area in the future.
“The fact that we can now accommodate more visitors is really encouraging as guaranteeing visitors can find somewhere suitable to stay is central to making this ambition happen. We want those looking for a venue to know that Lanarkshire is ready to welcome them with a great place to rest their weary head at the end of a day’s work.”
For information on the meeting and events spaces and accommodation available go to VenuesLanarkshire.com.
ENDS
Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of VisitLanarkshire
Notes to editors:
- Hi-res images available
- The full report can be accessed here: http://www.visitlanarkshire.com/media/337719/final-lanarkshire-accommodation-audit.pdf
For more information, please contact:
Katie Burnett
T: 0141 333 9585 M: 07525 592 825
E: katie.burnett@bigpartnership.co.uk
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