Glasgow polls high in list of 2012 must-see places
Published by Simon Gwynn on Sat 09 Jun 12 @ 22:11
It may not have a famous canal, palace or even glorious weather.
But Glasgow has been highlighted in a list of 45 places to visit in 2012.
The city polled number 12 in the New York Times list alongside the likes of Panama at number one and London at number four.
And it even featured higher that Florence in Italy, the Maldives and also space.
The city was highlighted particularly because of the new Riverside Museum designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid.
The newspaper says: "The Riverside Museum, which opened in June, is housed in a stunning building on the waterfront, with a 3,000-piece collection devoted to Glasgow's rich shipbuilding and engineering past.
"It's location, along the River Clyde, was once home to many shipyards, and considered the economic heart of Glasgow. But when the industry left, the area stagnated.
"Not anymore. Glasgow has spent more than a decade redeveloping 130 acres of derelict shipyard and unused dockland in an effort to restore the waterway to its former glory.
"Now there's a pleasant riverside walkway with steel street furniture, cobblestones from Victorian Glasgow and maritime paraphernalia. Lime trees are planted on both sides of the esplanade, and there are bicycle paths throughout."
Scott Taylor, chief executive of the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said that being featured on the list shows the "appeal" which the city has.
He added: "The New York Times is a highly respected media and it talks directly to the state of New York with continental airways flying to Glasgow everyday.
"Being ranked number 12 in the world demonstrates Glasgow's appeal to the Big Apple and there's no doubt that American tourists find the city very similar to their own.
"Glasgow has been used as an American film set and the city's citizens are often compared to the down-to-earth, humorous and hard-working New Yorkers so they will find themselves a home from home in Glasgow.
"The Riverside Museum is a spectacular example of Zaha Hadid's architecture. Glasgow continues to morph more times than Madonna and the Riverside development continues at an astonishing pace.
"Glasgow is such a memorable experience for people. If you are a traveller what makes you want to visit a place is that it is memorable. Glasgow is a life affirming destination. There is no other city in the world like it."
Read the full list here.
