Developing innovative and competitive products and services
Experience Glasgow has worked with tourism businesses to develop new bookable products and visitor experiences for Glasgow. The support included awarding Experience Glasgow Collaboration Funds to businesses, one-to-one support and advice, as well as introductions to potential partners.
Glasgow City Pass Walking Tours app
Experience Glasgow granted collaboration funding to Open Pass Scotland to develop a Glasgow City Pass. The Glasgow City Pass Walking Tours App was created with six themed tours including Music (by Glasgow Music City Tours, Street Art and West End, by Walking Tours in Glasgow), Dark History Glasgow and Women of Glasgow. There are also incentives for food and drink outlets including Mharsanta, Van Winkle, Ill Pavone and Gamba.
The full Glasgow City Pass will include Glasgow’s key attractions, with promotions and incentives. Due to COVID-19 restrictions progress on development has been delayed – the aim is to launch the pass in 2022.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh public and private tours
Experience Glasgow worked with Walking Tours in Glasgow to develop a weekly public Charles Rennie Mackintosh Walking Tour and private half and full day tours which explore the life, work and tales of Glasgow’s most famous designer. The tours include key locations across the city including Kelvingrove Art Gallery as well as the Mackintosh at the Willow exhibition with lunch or refreshments. These launched in June 2021 as part of the re-opening of the city and tourism experiences. Visit Walking Tours in Glasgow for more information.
Glasgow Play Port
Experience Glasgow supported the Canal Partnership on developing a collaboration between Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park and Loading Bay Skatepark. The packages being created include a combination of activities for all abilities, including Skating and Tubing, BMXing and Canoeing, Scooting and Bushcraft Experiences. The aim is to develop the area into a leisure destination, encouraging visitors to spend longer and explore what is on offer. Development is still in progress, with the aim to launch in 2022.
Scotland Food & Drink launches new ambassador programme
In 2021, Scotland Food & Drink appointed 25 Regional Food Tourism Ambassadors who will be key in raising Scotland’s profile as a global food tourism destination. Derek Mallon from Mharsanta has been appointed Glasgow’s Food Tourism Ambassador and will help the city’s sector rebuild from the pandemic, shape sustainable food tourism experiences which work for the local community and work with other ambassadors to be the “face” of campaigns and events. The programme is part of the Food Tourism Scotland action plan developed by Scotland Food & Drink and the Scottish Tourism Alliance.
Glasgow regional food and drink group launched
In April 2021, Scotland Food & Drink awarded Experience Glasgow “Regional Food Group” status. Experience Glasgow Food & Drink aims to support food and drink businesses, delivering on strategic projects to raise the profile of the sector and work towards recovery from the pandemic by:
- Bridging the gap between suppliers and buyers – providing opportunities to collaborate, share and do business.
- Raising profile of the sector, including local producers/growers/manufacturers and hospitality businesses via events, campaigns and communications.
- Supporting the development of authentic bookable food and drink experiences for locals and visitors – to grow the sector’s customer base.
- Helping businesses to operate more sustainably and profitably.
- Adding value – by identifying opportunities to reduce waste and energy.