The global competition to attract tourists is a battle between cities, Glasgow's tourist chief told a Business Breakfast audience at the University of Glasgow this morning (Wednesday).

"People don't visit the Czech Republic, they visit Prague; they don't visit Hungary, they go to Budapest." said Eddie Friel, Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley Tourist Board. "Cities are competing in the global market place. Glasgow is in this beauty contest and we need to develop Glasgow's talents and assets."

The city's greatest assets, he said, had to be its young people, but they had to be educated and trained so that Glasgow can compete as a tourist destination. "But we have to give our children the skills to compete with every other European." While the universities and colleges were playing their part well, he expressed fears over the quality of education in state schools, particularly in Glasgow.

Scots have to recognise, he added, that tourists want to enjoy themselves with good food and entertainment. "They can't eat scenery. And it is the cities which provide the facilities and entertainment many of them want."

Mr Friel said tourism was already a major industry in Glasgow, providing 47,000 jobs, 7000 more than the total on Clydeside in the heyday of shipbuilding.

The Business BreakfastForum series is organised jointly by the University of Glasgow and Marsh UK Ltd. Further information for meedia can be found at

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First published: 6 June 2001