Glasgow ones of world’s top 20 places to visit

Other destinations to make the list include the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the Seychelles.

Glasgow was singled out for its thrivng arts and music scenes.

Amy Alipio, features editor of National Geographic Traveler, said: “Glasgow landed on our list for 2016 because it’s one of the most exciting cities in the world right now. Its art scene is just too hot to ignore.

“Case in point: the Turner Prize is in Scotland for the first time, and the exhibit culminates at Glasgow’s Tramway gallery in January. But fans the world over know that it’s the city’s unrivaled music scene that really embodies Glasgow’s energy and swagger.”

VisitScotland regional partnerships director Liz Buchanan said: “Arts tourism is worth £662 million to the Scottish economy and a report from UK Music revealed in June of this year that music tourism was worth £3.1 billion to the UK economy last year, with £280 million of that spent in Scotland.

“These are therefore very valuable tourism sectors and the opportunity to grow these and attract more visitors could potentially have a very major economic impact.”