BT centre debut for tourism awards

May 19 2008 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

MERSEYSIDE’S top tourist attractions will be honoured at a glittering awards ceremony at Liverpool’s new BT Convention Centre later this month.

More than 500 guests are expected to attend The Mersey Partnership’s Tourism Awards showcase on May 28, which is being held for the first time at the Kings Dock complex.

Among the dozens of tourist events, attractions and businesses up for awards are the International Slavery Museum, the Turner Prize at Tate Liverpool, and the city’s Malmaison hotel.

Others include the “Turning the Place Over” moving art installation at Liverpool Moorfields, Mersey Ferries’ Manchester Ship Canal cruises, and Wirral’s Ness Botanic Gardens.

The awards themselves will kick-start a momentous five days in the 2008 calendar, which includes the opening of the first phase of the Liverpool ONE development, the launch of the Gustav Klimt exhibition, at Tate Liverpool, and Sir Paul McCartney's Anfield Stadium concert.

Martin King, director of tourism at TMP, said: “These annual awards are all about celebrating the very best in terms of what we offer our visitors across the destination, and this year there’s even more to celebrate. We’re half-way through the most significant year our tourism industry has ever experienced and we've already enjoyed some fantastic events.

“In our stunning new venue at ACC Liverpool, we’ve been able to plan an even more exciting awards event. We’ve a memorable night in prospect for our guests with a few surprises along the way.”

Specially commissioned awards and certificates for a total of 13 categories will be presented to winners, selected by an independent judging panel that reviewed dozens of entries.

Organisers at TMP, the city region’s official tourist board, are also planning a special award to recognise an outstanding contribution to Merseyside’s growing visitor economy – now worth more than £1bn a year.

The awards will be presented by BBC Northwest Tonight presenter Ranvir Singh. Categories include best tourism event/experience, excellence in customer service, best performance venue, and bar of the year.

Eligible winners will go through to regional finals for the chance to win a place in the national Enjoy Excellence in England Awards.

Further details of the awards – including ticket and table reservations – can be found at www.merseyside.org.uk

alanweston@dailypost.co.uk