The categories for the 2023 Tourism Awards are listed below. Click on the sample application form to help prepare your entry offline. All entries must be completed via the online portal.

Click here for Terms & Conditions

• B&B and Guest House of the Year
• Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
• Hotel of the Year
• Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award
• New Tourism Business of the Year
• Taste of Liverpool City Region – Restaurant of the Year
• Taste of Liverpool City Region – Café of the Year
• Pub of the Year
• Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
• Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
• Experience of the Year
• Business Events Venue
• Unsung Hero Award
• Tourism Young Person of the Year
• Independent Tourism Business of the Year
• Entertainment Venue of the Year – returning for 2023
• Eurovision Experience Award – NEW for 2023
• Liverpool City Region’s Hidden Gem (Public Vote opens 26 October 2023)
• Outstanding Contribution to Tourism (announced on evening)

The public vote for the Liverpool City Region Hidden Gem Award will open on 26th October 2023 for a period of 4 weeks.

A shortlist will then be announced and the public vote will re-open.

The winner will be announced at the tourism awards ceremony in February 2024.

• Friday 11 August 2023 Applications Open
• Friday 29 September (strictly 5PM) Applications Close
• From 02 October First Round Judging
• Thursday 26 October Shortlist Announced and
  Hidden Gem category opens
• From 30 October Second Round Judging
• Friday 1 December Hidden Gem shortlist announced, public voting re-opens
• Friday 12 January 2024 – public voting closes for Hidden Gem category
• Thursday 29 February Awards Ceremony at Liverpool Cathedral

Our judging is carried out by an independent panel of industry experts, selected for their impartiality, experience and suitability for each category. The first round of judging will be based on the information you provide on your online entry form along with website, social media and any third party sites.

In the second round judging, selected businesses will either receive an announced visit, be mystery shopped, or invited for a short interview conducted by independent judges. Please note that is a requirement of entry that entrants agree to waive or refund the direct costs of any mystery visit.

Eligible winners may be selected to represent Liverpool City Region at the VisitEngland Awards scheduled to take place in June 2024.

For all enquiries relating to applications, categories, judging and event details contact Katie Isaacson at tourismawards@coolbreezeagency.com

For sponsorship enquiries contact Carolyn Knott at carolyn.knott@growthplatform.org

Tourism Young Person of the Year – sponsored by Wild Thang

Neve Sutton, Hosted by National Museums Liverpool

Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by Liverpool ONE

Kayleigh Cox, Lu Ban Restaurant

Independent Tourism Business of the Year – sponsored by Bolland & Lowe

The Romans

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award – sponsored by Lexus Liverpool

Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust

Business Events Venue of the Year – sponsored by ACC Liverpool

Museum of Liverpool

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Ticket Quarter

British Music Experience

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Wirral Chamber of Commerce

National Trust, Speke Hall

New Tourism Business of the Year – sponsored by EPIC

Escape Live Liverpool

Resilience and Innovation Award – sponsored by BDO LLP

St Luke’s Bombed Out Church C.I.C.

Experience of the Year – sponsored by Merseyrail

National Trust, The Beatles’ Childhood Homes

Pub of the Year – sponsored by Mr Yum

Liverpool Gin Distillery

Taste Award – Café/Bistro of the Year – sponsored by National Museums Liverpool

Bold Street Coffee

Taste Award – Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Knowsley Safari

Antonio’s Bar & Grill

Hidden Gem – sponsored by The Guide Liverpool

Southport Bijou Cinema

B&B and Guest House of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool Cathedral

Sunnyside Guest House Southport

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year – sponsored by Lu Ban Restaurant

The Eden Warehouse

Hotel of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool BID Company

Titanic Hotel Liverpool

Outstanding Contribution to Tourism – sponsored by Growth Platform

Paul Beesley