Frequently asked questions
Whether you're looking for information about membership packages, pricing, marketing opportunities or how we work with the city's tourism and business events industries, you'll find the answers here. If you can't find what you're looking for, contact our Membership Manager Anne Marie Gray who'll be happy to help.
1. What is Visit Glasgow membership?
Visit Glasgow membership gives tourism and hospitality businesses the opportunity to work alongside the city's destination marketing team to promote Glasgow to UK and international visitors. Members can benefit from marketing opportunities, industry connections, business development support and access to relevant tourism insights and resources.
By becoming a member, you also contribute to the collective effort to raise Glasgow's profile as a leading visitor destination and attract more visitors to the city.
2. Who can become a Visit Glasgow member?
Membership is open to businesses and organisations that contribute to Glasgow's visitor economy. This includes hotels, restaurants, visitor attractions, retailers, tour operators, theatres, transport providers and other tourism-related businesses.
Different membership packages are available depending on the nature of your business and the markets you want to target.
3. What is the difference between Visit Glasgow membership and Convention Bureau membership?
The two packages are designed to support different areas of Glasgow's visitor economy.
Visit Glasgow membership is aimed at businesses looking to attract leisure visitors and grow their share of the UK and international tourism market. It provides opportunities to raise your profile, connect with travel trade professionals and promote your business to new audiences.
Convention Bureau membership is aimed at businesses looking to benefit from Glasgow's conference, meetings and business events market. It provides opportunities to connect with event organisers, conference planners, professional conference organisers (PCOs), destination management companies (DMCs) and other business events professionals.
Both packages support Glasgow's wider ambition to attract more visitors and generate economic benefits for the city.
4. Can my business join both membership packages?
Yes, businesses operating across both leisure tourism and business events may benefit from both packages, depending on their services and target markets.
We would recommend speaking to Anne Marie Gray, Membership Manager to discuss which membership option, or combination of options, would best support your business objectives.
5. How much does membership cost?
Membership fees depend on the package selected and the type or size of your business.
You can find details of the available membership packages and their associated fees on our membership page. If you're unsure which package is right for you, contact our membership manager Anne Marie Gray for advice.
6. Are membership fees subject to VAT?
Membership fees are subject to 20% VAT, where applicable. All prices should clearly state whether VAT is included or excluded so that businesses understand the total cost before joining.
7. How can I pay for my membership?
Members will be invoiced for their membership which can be paid by direct debit, bank transfer or online at www.glasgow.gov.uk/payit using a debit or credit card.
8. How long does membership last?
Membership runs for 12 months from 1 April until 31 March. The team will contact you ahead of your renewal date with details of how to continue your membership.
9. Can I cancel my membership or receive a refund?
Membership cancellation and refund arrangements are outlined in our membership terms and conditions. We recommend reviewing these before joining or contacting our Membership Manager Anne Marie Gray if you have any questions.
10. What benefits will my business receive as a member?
Membership provides access to a range of opportunities designed to raise your business profile, develop industry connections and support business growth.
Depending on your membership package, benefits may include:
- Opportunities to feature in Visit Glasgow marketing activity.
- Inclusion in relevant online business listings and promotional content.
- Access to networking events and industry briefings.
- Opportunities to connect with travel trade and business events professionals.
- Access to tourism research, insights and industry updates.
- Opportunities to participate in familiarisation visits, workshops and industry events.
The specific benefits available will depend on your chosen membership package.
11. Will membership guarantee promotion of my business?
Membership provides opportunities to participate in relevant Visit Glasgow and Glasgow Convention Bureau marketing, sales and promotional activity. However, inclusion in specific campaigns, publications or marketing channels is not guaranteed.
Promotional opportunities are selected according to campaign objectives, audience relevance, available space and the overall marketing strategy.
12. Will membership help me attract more customers?
Membership is designed to help raise your business profile and connect you with opportunities to reach new audiences.
Through destination marketing, travel trade engagement, networking and industry activity, membership can help support your business development ambitions. However, membership cannot guarantee a specific increase in bookings, visitors or revenue.
13. Can I use the Visit Glasgow or Glasgow Convention Bureau logo?
Members may be able to use approved membership logos and branding to demonstrate their association with Visit Glasgow or Glasgow Convention Bureau.
Any use of logos and brand assets must follow the relevant brand guidelines and permissions provided by the team.
14. Will I receive opportunities to network with other members?
Yes. Membership provides opportunities to connect with other businesses across Glasgow's tourism and business events sectors through 3-4 networking events annually. These opportunities allow members to share knowledge, build relationships and explore potential partnerships.
15. Does Visit Glasgow charge commission on business generated through membership?
No commission is charged simply for being a Visit Glasgow member. Membership fees cover access to the relevant membership benefits and promotional opportunities.
Glasgow Convention Bureau hotel members are eligible to pay a 12% commission on any accommodation bookings made via the official Passkey booking system.
16. Will Visit Glasgow recommend my business to visitors and travel trade partners?
Visit Glasgow works with UK and international travel trade professionals, including tour operators, travel agents and other industry partners, to promote Glasgow and its visitor experiences.
Members may have opportunities to raise their profile and showcase their products and services through relevant trade activity. Inclusion in recommendations or itineraries will depend on the requirements of the audience and the suitability of the business.
17. Can Visit Glasgow help my business connect with tour operators and travel agents?
Yes. Supporting connections between local tourism businesses and the travel trade is an important part of Visit Glasgow's work.
Members may benefit from opportunities to participate in travel trade events, workshops, familiarisation visits and other activities that help develop relationships with tour operators and travel advisors.
18. Does Visit Glasgow handle bookings or reservations for members?
Visit Glasgow's primary role is to promote Glasgow as a destination and raise awareness of the city's tourism offer. It is not a booking agent for all member businesses.
Glasgow Convention Bureau manages a Conference Accommodation Booking service (CABs) for conference organisers. Member hotels that have provided an allocation of rooms for a conference will be bookable via the official Passkey site. A 12 % commission applies to these bookings.
Visitors are generally directed to individual businesses to make bookings or enquiries through their own booking channels.
19. Will Visit Glasgow pass customer enquiries or business leads directly to members?
Where relevant opportunities arise, Visit Glasgow may signpost visitors, travel trade contacts and event organisers to suitable member businesses.
However, membership does not guarantee a specific number of enquiries, referrals or business leads.
20. What is Destination Glasgow?
Destination Glasgow is Glasgow's destination marketing and management organisation (DMMO). It brings together the teams responsible for promoting Glasgow as a place to visit, meet and invest.
By bringing these areas of work together, Destination Glasgow provides a more coordinated approach to promoting the city, attracting visitors, securing business events and supporting investment.
Destination Glasgow brings together:
- Visit Glasgow – promoting Glasgow as a leisure tourism destination.
- Glasgow Convention Bureau – attracting conferences, meetings and business events to the city.
- Invest Glasgow – promoting Glasgow as a place to invest and do business.
21. What is the relationship between Visit Glasgow and Destination Glasgow?
Visit Glasgow is the destination marketing brand through which Glasgow is promoted to leisure visitors and the travel trade.
It is part of Destination Glasgow, which brings together the city's tourism, conventions, investment and destination marketing activity under a coordinated approach.
The Visit Glasgow team works with local businesses and partners to raise the city's profile, inspire travel and support the growth of Glasgow's visitor economy.
22. What is the Glasgow Convention Bureau?
Glasgow Convention Bureau is the team responsible for attracting conferences, meetings and business events to Glasgow.
It works with conference organisers, professional conference organisers, event agencies and local businesses to showcase Glasgow as a destination for business events.
The team also supports organisers with services such as venue finding, accommodation bookings, sourcing local suppliers and wider event planning assistance.
23. Is Glasgow Convention Bureau part of Visit Glasgow?
Glasgow Convention Bureau and Visit Glasgow are distinct destination marketing functions within Destination Glasgow.
Visit Glasgow focuses primarily on leisure tourism, while Glasgow Convention Bureau focuses on conferences, meetings and business events.
Both work towards the shared ambition of attracting more visitors and generating economic benefits for Glasgow.
24. Who manages Visit Glasgow membership?
Visit Glasgow membership is managed by the tourism and membership team within Destination Glasgow.
The team works with members to communicate relevant opportunities, provide access to membership benefits and encourage collaboration across Glasgow's tourism industry.
25. Where can I find out more about Destination Glasgow?
You can find out more about Destination Glasgow, its work and its ambitions for the city through the Visit Glasgow business website.
26. How do I become a member?
Joining is straightforward. Simply select the membership package that best suits your business and complete the application form.
Once your application has been received, a member of the team will be in touch to confirm the next steps and arrange payment.
27. When does my membership start?
Your membership will begin once your application has been approved and payment has been received. The team will confirm your membership start and renewal dates.
28. Can I update my business information after joining?
Yes. Members can contact our Membership Manager Anne Marie Gray to update their business details, including contact information, website links, descriptions and other relevant information used for promotional purposes.
Keeping your information up to date helps ensure visitors and industry partners have access to accurate details about your business.
29. Do I need to be based in Glasgow to become a member?
Membership is primarily aimed at businesses operating in Glasgow and the surrounding area that contribute to the city's visitor economy.
If your business operates outside Glasgow but provides services or experiences that support visitors to the city, please contact the team to discuss eligibility.
30. Who can I contact if I have questions about membership?
If you have questions about membership packages, benefits, eligibility or the application process, please contact our Membership Manager, Anne Marie Gray.
They will be happy to discuss your business and help you identify the most suitable membership option.