The Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards in association with Liverpool ONE has recognised the outstanding tourism businesses in the region at a sell-out event at St George’s Hall last night. (Thursday 19th May). A total of 18 awards were handed out on the night in celebration of an outstanding year for the region’s visitor economy. Eryl Parry from Liverpool Cathedral was honoured for her outstanding contribution to tourism in the region. Eryl, who has retired from her role as Director of Enterprise, was awarded for her dedication to the industry over the past fifteen years. The coveted People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Liverpool City Council, went to the Southport Air Show. The Three Queens Event took home the Large Tourism Event of the Year Award for the memorable weekend that saw the arrival of the three Cunard liners to the River Mersey. On arrival, guests were welcomed by pianist Tom Seals, who played a piano from Tickle the Ivories, the annual music festival that takes place in Liverpool ONE. The pianist welcomed guests along with Liverpool ONE buskers Callum Carty and Will Freckles, as the awards highlighted one of the many key cultural events that takes place in Liverpool City Region throughout the year. Catering for the evening was provided by The Yacht Club and supported by students from City of Liverpool College who helped with a variety of different aspects of the evening to gain invaluable experience of a large scale event. The entertainment took a poignant turn as The Christians took to the stage to perform their charity single Big Red Sky to pay tribute to the 96 people who lost their lives at Hillsborough. Speaking on the night, chair of the Liverpool City Region Visitor Economy Board Sara Wilde McKeown said, “Tonight has, once again, been a wonderful celebration of the stand out stars of the city region’s tourism businesses. “The visitor economy has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months with events like The Three Queens and Transatlantic 175 ensuring the region remains a leader in the industry. “As we can see from the incredible attractions and venues that have been recognised tonight, we are looking towards what looks set to be another memorable year for the region.” The evening, which is held by the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, was hosted by Andrew Dickens, with shopping and leisure destination Liverpool ONE as the associate sponsor. See below for a full list of winners. Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards 2016 Winners Hotel of the Year sponsored by ComCab Liverpool Titanic Hotel Liverpool Highly Commended – Hope Street Hotel Guest Accommodation of the Year sponsored by the Liverpool City Region LEP Mere Brook House Serviced Apartment of the Year sponsored by MSP Epic Liverpool Small Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Health at Work Shore Cottage Studio Large Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Signature Living Liverpool Cathedral Highly Commended – Bubbles’ World of Play Taste Liverpool sponsored by NatWest The Art School Restaurant Highly Commended – Delifonseca Dockside and Fonseca’s Large Tourism Event of the Year sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport Three Queens, One Magnificent City Highly Commended – Tate Liverpool Transmitting Andy Warhol Small Tourism Event of the Year sponsored by Wild Thang Liverpool Loves Tourism Experience of the Year sponsored by Liverpool Hoteliers Association Mersey Ferries Manchester Ship Canal Cruises Bar of the Year sponsored by Marketing Liverpool The Wro Highly Commended – Salt Dog Slims Excellence in Business Tourism sponsored by Excello Law Titanic Hotel Liverpool Entertainment Venue of the Year sponsored by Cleanall Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Independent Tourism Business of the Year sponsored by Smooth FM Mere Brook House Best Newcomer to the Visitor Economy sponsored by Influential The Shankly Hotel Tourism Star(s) of the Year sponsored by Liverpool BID company Liverpool Tourist Information Centre Highly Commended – Jillian Ireland – National Museums Liverpool Tourism Young Person of the Year sponsored by City of Liverpool College Jonathon Medley – The Wro Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Industry sponsored by Liverpool ONE Eryl Parry – Liverpool Cathedral People’s Choice Award sponsored by Liverpool City Council Southport Air Show Follow the Tourism Awards on Twitter at @LCRTourismAward For more information regarding the awards please visit https://www.liverpoollep.org/awards-landing-page/