1. ¹School of Hotel, Leisure and Tourism, University of Ulster, Portrush Site, Coleraine Campus, Ballywillan Road, Portrush, County Antrim, BT56 8JL N. Ireland; Tel: +44 (0)28 70 323958; Fax: +44 (0)28 70 323997; E-mail: cf. murphy@ulster.ac.uk
2. ²Faculty of Business and Management, University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB N. Ireland; Tel: +44 (0)28 90 368867; E-mail: e.boyle@ulster.ac.uk

Received 17 October 2005.

Abstract

This paper identifies key factors that have shaped the development of cultural tourism in post-industrial cities in the UK and presents them in a conceptual model, examining the contextual comparabilities in the transformation of many UK cities. The model is tested with qualitative data gathered through in-depth interviews with key personnel who have varying degrees of responsibility for economic, tourism and cultural development in Glasgow. This research indicates that while there are general factors that contribute to successful cultural tourism development in post-industrial cities in the UK, local contextual characteristics are influential, making the development unique to each city.