Liverpool’s tourist board has named the city’s best venues and people in its annual tourism awards as events get underway to celebrate the European Capital of Culture Year.
The awards, run by the Mersey Partnership, took place at the BT Convention Centre yesterday, and marked the start of a momentous five days in the city’s calendar.
Winners of the 14 awards included the Marriott hotel in Liverpool city centre which beat Malmaison, The Liner and The Radisson SAS to take the Hotel of the Year title and guest house 42 Caldy Road in Wirral which won best Guest Acccommodation.
Roses Tea Rooms in Wirral pipped shortlisters Valparaiso, Sheldrakes and The Yellow Room to the post to pick up the Taste of Merseyside award after impressing judges with excellent customer service and demonstrating their strong roots in the community while Liverpool’s Bar of the Year is The Residents’ Lounge at Hope Street Hotel.
Pam Simpson, a waitress at World of Glass, was given the Excellence in Customer Service award and Charlotte Carr, a student at Southport College, was given the Apprentice/Student of the Year title for showing a good understanding of the ways front and back of house teams need to work together to deliver strong customer service.
The awards took place on the same day that the £1bn shopping and leisure complex Liverpool One opened in the city and are being followed over the next five days by the opening of the Gustav Klimt exhibition at Tate Liverpool, Paul Merton appearing at the Liverpool Comedy Festival and Sir Paul McCartney headlining the Liverpool Sound at Anfield.
Martin King said: “Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture means that the eyes of the world are upon us. We have been attracting more visitors than ever, generating more income than ever before, and establishing the City Region as one of the top destinations in the UK.
“This year, more than ever, we needed to demonstrate our capacity to provide high quality accommodation, attractions and facilities and a truly unique visitor experience.”
“The Tourism Awards are proof that we are achieving that – the short-listed entries and the ultimate winners represent high standards in service, originality and appeal. They have contributed hugely to helping make ours a genuinely world-class visitor destination. We salute them all, and wish those now competing in the north west regional Awards the very best of luck in their bid to win a place in the national Enjoy Excellence in England Awards.”
To see a full list of winners visit the Merseyside Partnership website