Champions League helping hospitality sector take off
Published by Alan Busby on Fri 07 Sep 12 @ 12:26
Celtic's Champion's League clash with Barcelona has led to extra flights being scheduled from your Chamber's Platinum Partner Glasgow Airport!
Budget airline Jet2.com normally operate three flights a week from Glasgow Airport to Barcelona but, in light of the Celtic game on October 23, the company have laid on a special flight that leaves on the morning of the match - just over 12 hours before the teams kick-off in Camp Nou Stadium.
The company, whose flights will each hold 150 football fans, expect to sell every available ticket before the end of the week.
As well as the away games causing a ticket boost for Glasgow Airport, the home fixtures scheduled at Parkhead are expected to give a massive boost to Glasgow's hospitality sector.
Celtic will play Russian side Spartak Moscow and Benfica, of Portugal, in their group draw, with these games helping hotels, pubs, restaurants and shops cash in on the expected crowds.
Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "Our research shows that more than 500 extra hotel rooms are taken up when Celtic plays a Champions League home match. This is a welcome boost for local hotels, restaurants, bars and other businesses, as they have a chance to showcase what they can offer.
"Furthermore, the warm welcome of local people and the vibrancy of the city will encourage return visits and spread the word of how fantastic a city Glasgow is to spectator's families and friends back home, as well as to the millions watching the matches on TV.
"Celtic is a football club that over the years has brought great prosperity to Glasgow and its success in qualifying for the group stages in the UEFA Champions League is brilliant news to Glasgow and Scotland."
