Mersey Tourism awards winners unveiled

AINTREE Racecourse’s record-breaking Grand National 2011 event won Tourism Event of the Year at The Mersey Partnership’s Annual Tourism Awards 2011.

Liverpool Football Club’s Stadium Tour & Museum was named as Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, while the city’s Hope Street Hotel and adjoining London Carriageworks restaurant won Hotel of The Year and Taste Merseyside respectively.

The Mersey Partnership – the body responsible for promoting tourism and investment in the Liverpool City-region – has said that 11 of the 15 category winners (full list below) will go on to represent the area at the Enjoy England Tourism awards next year.

The John Smith’s Grand National 2011 race meeting this year attracted more than 153,000 visitors over three days and was watched by a TV audience of over 600m worldwide.

TMP chief executive Lorraine Rogers said: “The Annual Tourism Awards event is an opportunity for all of the key organisations in the visitor economy to get together and celebrate the very significant collective progress that has been achieved.”

Dave Brewitt, chief executive of Hope Street Hotel and The London Carriage Works said: “We are, of course, delighted with this double win.

“As an independent company within a very competitive market full of quality hotels and restaurants, we work hard for our day-to-day success. We are very proud of our product and very proud of our teams and their loyal spirit and wit – all qualities we hope shine through the business.”

A full list of the winners appear below. A star (*) appears beside those put forward for the Enjoy England awards.

Excellence in Customer Service *
Kevin Roberts, Liverpool ONE

Tourism Marketing Initiative of the Year
Tate Liverpool for Picasso: Peace + Freedom

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year *
Herons Well Holiday Cottage

Culture and Heritage Experience of the Year
Tate Liverpool for Picasso: Peace + Freedom

Bar of the Year
The Wro

Taste *
The London Carriage Works

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year *
U-boat Story

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year *
Liverpool Football Club

Excellence in Business Tourism *
BT Convention Centre

Guest Accommodation of the Year *
Knowsley Hall

Excellence in Sustainable Tourism *
ACC Liverpool

Retailer of the Year
Utility

Tourism Experience of the Year *
The John Moores Painting Prize at Walker Art Gallery        

Hotel of the Year *
Hope Street Hotel

Tourism Event of the Year *
The John Smith’s Grand National