Applications are now officially open for the prestigious Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards 2023, with even more categories for businesses to enter.
Liverpool Cathedral will play host to the ceremony on Thursday 29 February 2024 – when the region will recognise and reward the very best tourism businesses.
The 19 categories this year cover all aspects of the visitor economy including accommodation, hospitality, attractions and tours. Two new categories for 2023 include the return of the Entertainment Venue of the Year, aimed at theatres and live music venues, whilst a special award has been created to recognise those organisations who embraced the Eurovision Song Contest with a Eurovision Experience of the Year category. Thirteen of the winners will go forward to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2024, at which the Titanic Hotel and St Lukes Bombed Out Church both won Gold at the 2023 ceremony held at Warner Bros Studio earlier this summer.
Janet Nuzum, Visitor Economy Sector Manager at Growth Platform – Liverpool City Region Growth Company who organise the awards, supported by the Visitor Economy Board, said:
“As a city region we have seen great success coming out of these awards at a national level and we were delighted when we had three of our winners shortlisted for the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2023. I would urge as many businesses as possible to get involved and be part of a showcase of what our fantastic visitor economy has to offer.”
Bill Addy, Chief Executive at Liverpool BID Company and headline sponsor, said:
“The Tourism Awards are, quite rightly, one of the highlights in our calendar and we are honoured to offer our continued support. In this special year when we have not only seen Eurovision come to Liverpool, and the cultural programme running alongside it, but also the return of the Liverpool Biennial, and the regular events taking place each year within our cultural and hospitality industries, we are excited to see the entries.
“This is such a valuable industry that reflects the very best of our city; the innovation, friendliness, warmth of the welcome, determination to showcase the breadth of our offer as a place to visit and stay. One of our key strengths is our commitment to collaboration. From the commercial to the public sector, independent to multi-national, our goal is always the same – to show off our region in its very best light.”
Along with headline sponsor, Liverpool BID Company, also confirmed as associate sponsors are Liverpool ONE and Lexus Liverpool. Other sponsors and partners supporting the awards are ACC Liverpool, Bolland & Lowe, BDO LLP, Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Merseyrail, PIB Insurance, The City of Liverpool College, The Guide Liverpool, The Metro, Ticket Quarter, Virgin Experience Days and West Midlands Trains.
Applications are now open until Friday 29 September 2023 and all tourism related businesses based in the Liverpool City Region are invited to apply. For a full list of categories go to www.lcrtourismawards.com