Awards showcase at ACC Liverpool will salute best in tourism
FINAL plans are being put in place for a spectacular celebration to salute the best tourism businesses across Liverpool City Region.
The Mersey Partnership’s (TMP) Annual Tourism Awards showcase makes its debut at the new BT Convention Centre, Kings Dock, tonight and will be presented by BBC Northwest Tonight broadcaster Ranvir Singh.
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 from tourism businesses all over the region.
Organisers at TMP, the City Region's official Tourist Board, are also planning a special award to be presented in front of more than 500 guests to recognise an outstanding contribution to the region’s growing visitor economy – now worth more than £1bn a year to the local economy.
The gala event marks the start of 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.
The awards recognise hotels, visitor attractions, performance venues and bars among the list of categories.
Hopefuls include the International Slavery Museum, which opened last August, and Runcorn’s art centre, The Brindley.
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 region , and this year there’s even more to celebrate.
“We’re halfway through the most significant year our tourism industry has ever experienced and we’ve already enjoyed some fantastic events.”
He added: “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.”
Eligible winners will go through to regional finals for the chance to win a place in the national Enjoy Excellence in England Awards.
