The number of German and Spanish visitors to Glasgow more than doubled in the three years after the city hosted the Champions League final.

New figures released just a month before the city's Hampden Stadium hosts the Uefa Cup final show that between 2002 and 2005 German visits increased from 36,000 to 77,0000 - a rise of 114%. Over the same period, Spanish visits soared from 12,000 to 28,000, up 133%.

The May 16 match could mirror the previous final, when Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen contested European club football's biggest game. Teams from both countries, Osasuna, Sevilla and Espanyol, all Spanish, and Germany's Werder Bremen, are contesting the tournament's semi-finals this week.

Glasgow is expecting a financial benefit approaching the £25m generated from the 2002 final, with conservative estimates putting the figure at £15m. It is also estimated the match will be viewed by a worldwide audience of 800 million in 165 countries, while the city is also being showcased on Uefa's website which attracts 100 million hits a year.

Following global TV coverage of the Champions League final, Ryanair introduced new routes from Dusseldorf, Girona and Reus as well as Murcia and Eindhoven. Air Berlin flies from Berlin and flyglobespan goes to Malaga and Barcelona - all since 2002. In the run-up to the Uefa Cup final next month, airlines operating from Spain have noted a steep rise in bookings to Glasgow in the days surrounding the match, especially with Espanyol hailing from Barcelona and Seville a few hours' drive from Malaga.

Flyglobespan chairman Tom Dalrymple said: "As well as giving Scots the chance of low fares to the sun, all our routes bring in valuable tourist business and that should never be under-estimated."

The local organising committee for the event is also finalising preparations to welcome the finalists and their fans to the city. The trophy has been touring a number of locations across the city, while zones' in George Square and the Merchant City have been designated for visiting fans.

Joe Aitken, head of events at Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "The committee has demonstrated its organising skills to perfection with this one. We have had regular meetings with Uefa from day one and on each subsequent site visit the feedback has been more and more encouraging."

David Findlay, committee chairman, said: "We recognises the global interest in a Uefa Cup final and the influence that a successful event can have on a positive image for Glasgow in terms of tourism."

Last night, Uefa's project leader, Didier Andrist, said: "We're delighted by the diligence, dedication and professionalism of everyone we've come into contact with in Glasgow.

"It's very clear everybody loves their sport."



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