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Glasgow accommodation almost fully booked for the Commonwealth Games Glasgow accommodation almost fully booked for the Commonwealth Games
(about 2 hours later)
Glasgow’s accommodation is close to capacity for the Commonwealth Games and tourism experts are advising visitors to consider staying outside the city. Glasgow’s accommodation is close to capacity for the Commonwealth Games - which open today and run until 3 August - and tourism experts are advising visitors to consider staying outside the city.
VisitScotland has stated that 90% of the city's accommodation is now occupied, while statistics from hotel comparison site Trivago claim that hotel availability has dropped by 75% during the event.VisitScotland has stated that 90% of the city's accommodation is now occupied, while statistics from hotel comparison site Trivago claim that hotel availability has dropped by 75% during the event.
Rooms in temporary accommodation, set up specifically for the Games, are also scarce. Snoozebox, a pop-up hotel provider that has constructed several units around Glasgow for the period, is currently at 87% occupancy.Rooms in temporary accommodation, set up specifically for the Games, are also scarce. Snoozebox, a pop-up hotel provider that has constructed several units around Glasgow for the period, is currently at 87% occupancy.
Home sharing site Airbnb has also seen a dramatic spike in visitors, with three times the average number of guests booking for the time of year.Home sharing site Airbnb has also seen a dramatic spike in visitors, with three times the average number of guests booking for the time of year.
VisitScotland is advising visitors hoping to stay in a hotel or guesthouse to consider looking at options in the surrounding areas.VisitScotland is advising visitors hoping to stay in a hotel or guesthouse to consider looking at options in the surrounding areas.
“A million spectators are expected to descend on the city over this time, with hundreds of thousands staying within Glasgow,” says Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland.“A million spectators are expected to descend on the city over this time, with hundreds of thousands staying within Glasgow,” says Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland.
“We’ve been using our website, visitscotland.com, to help point people towards accommodation options that suit all tastes and budgets. Thanks to Glasgow’s excellent public transport links we’ve also been able to encourage visitors to stay in nearby locations such as Stirling, Edinburgh and Ayrshire, where they can still enjoy all the sporting action but explore other parts of the country at the same time.”“We’ve been using our website, visitscotland.com, to help point people towards accommodation options that suit all tastes and budgets. Thanks to Glasgow’s excellent public transport links we’ve also been able to encourage visitors to stay in nearby locations such as Stirling, Edinburgh and Ayrshire, where they can still enjoy all the sporting action but explore other parts of the country at the same time.”
Unsurprisingly, room prices in Glasgow have rocketed. According to data from hotel comparison site Trivago, prices for rooms during the two-week period of the Games are up by 158%. The average hotel price in Glasgow during the Games is now £344 compared to £133 the previous week. This Sunday, when the athletic events begin in the newly refurbished Hampden Park stadium, will be the most expensive night to book, with an overnight stay costing £448 on average.Unsurprisingly, room prices in Glasgow have rocketed. According to data from hotel comparison site Trivago, prices for rooms during the two-week period of the Games are up by 158%. The average hotel price in Glasgow during the Games is now £344 compared to £133 the previous week. This Sunday, when the athletic events begin in the newly refurbished Hampden Park stadium, will be the most expensive night to book, with an overnight stay costing £448 on average.
Currently the best option for last-minute visitors seeking affordable accommodation is to check in at a campsite. Campingninja, which has set up sites with 1,000 pitches around Glasgow, still has good availability with prices currently standing at £21 per person per night.Currently the best option for last-minute visitors seeking affordable accommodation is to check in at a campsite. Campingninja, which has set up sites with 1,000 pitches around Glasgow, still has good availability with prices currently standing at £21 per person per night.