Inverclyde has teamed up with seven other areas to boost tourism numbers by one million over the next five years

The Glasgow City Region tourism strategy has been signed by local authority leader Stephen McCabe and his counterparts from East and West Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, North and South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.

The councils have made a commitment to work together to boost tourism for the benefit of all the areas.

Councillor McCabe, who will be in charge of the new drive's 'tourism and destination marketing', says his district will be a key driver in bringing more people to Scotland.

He said: “In Inverclyde we have an ambitious infrastructure project as part of the city deal to deliver a new berthing and visitor facility at Greenock Ocean Terminal.

"The aim of this is ensure that we do our bit to make sure that our welcome to Inverclyde, to the wider city region and to Scotland is as good as it can be.

“Tourists and visitors to each of our areas do not recognise boundaries and neither should we.

"At the heart of the Glasgow City Region tourism strategy is a commitment to work across boundaries and ensure that visits are seamless, consistent and high quality no matter where you visit across the region.

“The vision of the tourism strategy is to build a strong, inclusive, competitive and outward-looking tourism sector, which delivers high quality, value for money and memorable visitor experiences by skilled and passionate people.”

One of the key elements in the strategy will see a regional culture group established to promote attractions in a more effective way.

Other aspects include a regional events and festivals forum to map and co-ordinate a programme of events and a new outdoor activities group .

Glasgow City Region cabinet chair Councillor Susan Aitken said: “Glasgow might have an established record of attracting visitors, but every part of the region has its own strengths and bringing those together will ultimately benefit us all.”