Liverpool honours tourism sector stars

THE winners of Liverpool City Region’s annual tourism awards were crowned last night – as the key players in the £3bn sector were honoured.

More than 400 people attended the black tie dinner at the BT Convention Centre organised by the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and hosted by former Hollyoaks acress Terri Dwyer.

Among the winners – days before Sir Paul McCartney’s 70th birthday – was The Beatles – which was formed 50 years ago this year.

In total 67 finalists were shortlisted across 16 categories with venues and attractions from Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, St.Helens, Knowsley and Halton all represented.

Eleven categories honoured tonight will now go forward to represent the Liverpool City Region in VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence.

The new Museum of Liverpool scooped two awards – Event of the Year and Marketing Initiative of the Year for its ‘People’s Opening’ events.
Since opening, the £72m Pier Head museum has already welcomed almost 1.2 million visitors.

For the third year running, Hope Street Hotel was named Hotel of the Year. The Taste Liverpool award was won by Delifonseca Dockside at Brunswick Dock.

The Liverpool ONE shopping centre was named Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, with Darkstar Ultimate Laser Arena in St.Helens taking the title of Small Visitor Attraction.

Pam Wilsher, head of visitor economy development for the Liverpool LEP, commented: “These awards recognise and reward excellence in this important and growing sector, and the winners and finalists all play a vital role in the region’s flourishing visitor economy.

The full list of winners is:
 

Excellence in Customer Service:  Damian Jones – Base2Stay Liverpool

Tourism Marketing Initiative of the Year: Museum of Liverpool – Opening campaign

Serviced Apartments of the Year: Staybridge Suites Liverpool

Culture & Heritage Experience of the Year: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

Bar of the Year: Leaf Tea Shop & Bar, Liverpool

Taste Liverpool: Delifonseca Dockside, Liverpool

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year: Darkstar Ultimate Laser Arena, St.Helens

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year: Liverpool ONE

Excellence in Business Tourism: Conferencing & Events, National Museums Liverpool

Guest Accommodation of the Year: Mere Brook House, Wirral

Excellence in Sustainable Tourism: ACC Liverpool

Retailer of the Year: Cathedral Shop at Liverpool Cathedral

Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year: Sally Boyd, The Wro, Wirral

People’s Choice Award: The Beatles Story

Tourism Event of the Year: Museum of Liverpool – People’s Opening

Hotel of the Year: Hope Street Hotel, Liverpool

Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Sector: The Beatles