St George’s Hall was the setting for the best tourism businesses to be recognised at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards. A total of 16 awards were handed out on the night (24 May) in celebration of an incredible year for the region’s visitor economy, which was hosted by local chef, restaurateur and broadcaster, Simon Rimmer. Port Sunlight were double winners, picking up the award for Small Visitor Attraction for the Museum, and the Village Trust being awarded Independent Tourism Business of the Year. Hotel of the Year went to Malmaison Liverpool with Fazenda picking up ‘Taste Liverpool’ – the award for best restaurant. Liverpool Cathedral claimed the award for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year. Two individuals picked up the award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism – David Fleming OBE, former Director at National Museums Liverpool, and Andrea Nixon, former Executive Director at Tate Liverpool. Both have greatly contributed to the rise in the cultural offer across the city region. The coveted People’s Choice award went to The Beatles Story, with Tourism Young Person of the Year award going to Lucy Gaskell from McCooley’s Mathew Street. Guests were entertained by the Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu Club who led guests into the Great Hall, whilst catering was provided by Carringtons. Chair of the Liverpool City Region Visitor Economy Board, Sara Wilde McKeown, said: “It was ten years ago that we embraced being European Capital of Culture, enabling us to re-introduce Liverpool in a whole new light to so many visitors and giving us an opportunity to showcase and better what the city region has to offer. “Each of these highly contested categories show the incredible strength and depth the city region’s thriving tourism sector now has. Huge congratulations to all our winners as well as the shortlisted business and individuals.” The evening is organised by Eventful in conjunction with the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership. To view the awards gallery visit www.lcrtourismawards.com Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards 2018 Winners Hotel of the Year sponsored by Expedia Malmaison Liverpool Serviced Apartment of the Year sponsored by Liverpool ONE EPIC Liverpool Small Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Pear Communications Winner – Port Sunlight Museum Highly Commended – Shore Cottage Studio Large Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Wirral Chamber of Commerce Winner – Liverpool Cathedral Highly Commended – Speke Hall Taste Liverpool sponsored by NatWest Fazenda Tourism Event of the Year sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport Cruise Liverpool – Magic on the Mersey Tourism Experience of the Year sponsored by Merseyrail Shiverpool Bar of the Year sponsored by Wild Thang The Merchant Excellence in Business Tourism sponsored by ACC Liverpool Winner – National Museums Liverpool Highly Commended – Anfield Stadium, Liverpool Football Club Entertainment Venue of the Year sponsored by Marketing Liverpool Unity Theatre Independent Tourism Business of the Year sponsored by Mint Staffing Winner – Port Sunlight Village Trust Highly Commended – Darkstar Laser Best Newcomer to the Visitor Economy sponsored by Liverpool Football Club Winner – RIBA North – National Architecture Centre Highly Commended – Daniel Adamson 1903 Steam Ship ‘The Danny’ People’s Choice sponsored by Liverpool City Council The Beatles Story Tourism Stars of the Year sponsored by Liverpool BID Company Ramada Plaza Southport Team Tourism Young Person of the Year sponsored by Albert Dock Winner – Lucy Gaskell, McCooley’s Mathew Street Highly Commended – Emily Chittenden, EPIC Liverpool Outstanding Contribution to Tourism sponsored by Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Winners – David Fleming – National Museums Liverpool Andrea Nixon – Tate Liverpool
