A Thomas Cook guidebook describing Glasgow as blighted by violence, deprivation and unhealthy lifestyles has been condemned by the city’s tourism chiefs.
The book warns visitors to expect poor weather, sectarianism and alcohol and drug abuse in its deprived suburbs.
The pocket guide praises the city for its “vibrant” arts scene, high culture, green spaces and shopping.
But Glasgow City Marketing Bureau chief executive Scott Taylor responded angrily to the guide, describing it as “unbalanced” and “smug”.
He said: “Glasgow has come a long way. It is now one of the world’s leading tourist cities.
“It has an enormous amount of wealth and opportunity for tourists to come and see, so to describe places in Glasgow as ‘rubbish’ is just awful.
“Glasgow has some difficulties but you wouldn’t expect to read about them in a tourist guide. For instance, you don’t read about 1950s housing around Krakow or the difficulties that Vancouver has in regards to crack and heroin.”
Thomas Cook said its guides do not set out to criticise cities and try to reflect what makes them unique.