The Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards ceremony with a difference took place last night.
The annual awards ceremony – which recognises and rewards the very best tourism businesses – was streamed live via YouTube. Seventeen awards were handed out on the night, (10 November) which was hosted by Jay Hynd from The Guide Liverpool, with headline sponsor being National Museums Liverpool.
Double winner this year was Mere Brook House which won B&B/Guest Accommodation of the Year and the award for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable tourism. Other winners included Knowsley Safari for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year and Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa for Hotel of the Year.
The award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism went to Stephen Roberts, General Manager of the Crowne Plaza who will be retiring from his role after 20 years later this month. During that time, he has served on the Visitor Economy Board and the Employment and Skills Board and has been a huge supporter of Visitor Economy Week, encouraging young people to consider Tourism and Hospitality as a career choice.
Pub of the Year went to Liverpool Gin Distillery, with Duke Street Food and Drink Market picking up New Tourism Business of the Year, whilst the Royal Liver Building 360 was awarded Small Visitor Attraction of the Year.
Tourism Star of the Year went to Elle Barnes-Reen from Everton Football Club and Tourism Young Person of the Year was Jordan Rhoda from Liverpool ONE.
During the evening, viewers were able to enjoy a delicious meal and cocktail supplied by Lu Ban at Home and Pentone Family, heated at home to create a truly virtual experience in a Tourism Awards first.
Peter Sandman, Head of Visitor Economy at Growth Platform said, “Last year we held these awards in the magnificent Liverpool Cathedral. 2020 has presented the city region with many difficult challenges which we must face together, rewarding and celebrating all these businesses tonight is one way we can show unity and strength as a sector. We know there are many challenges ahead and hurdles to overcome but we have the assets and the right people across the region to successfully come through this unprecedented time.”
Laura Pye, Chair of the Visitor Economy Board and Director of National Museums Liverpool said: “At a time when the tourism and hospitality sectors are facing perhaps the most difficult challenge in their history, it’s vital that we are able to celebrate the achievements of the fantastic people and places that the Liverpool City Region has to offer. We wish the winners many congratulations, and we stand side by side with our colleagues in the tourism industry across the region at this unsettling time. Joining together to mark the awards has given us all a great reminder of how resilient we are when we work together.”
The event was organised by Growth Platform and supported by the Visitor Economy Board with technical support from MSP Global. The Charity Partner on the night was Hospitality Action who offer vital assistance to all who work or have worked within hospitality in the UK and who find themselves in crisis. To support them with a donation please text HOSPITALITY plus your amount to 70085, for example – HOSPITALITY10 to make a £10 donation. Lines remain open.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
- Tourism Star of the Year sponsored by Marketing Liverpool
Elle Barnes-Reen, Everton Football Club - Tourism Young Person of the Year sponsored by Lu Ban at Home
Jordan Rhoda, Liverpool ONE - New Tourism Business of the Year sponsored by Epic
Duke Street Food & Drink Market - Independent Tourism Business of the Year sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Western Approaches - B&B / Guest House of the Year sponsored by Pentone Family
Mere Brook House - Small Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Ticket Quarter
Royal Liver Building 360 - Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award sponsored by Quinnovations
Mere Brook House - Taste Award – Cafe/Bistro of the Year sponsored by MSP Global
Tusk - Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year sponsored by The Metro
Staybridge Suites Liverpool - Pub of the Year sponsored by sponsored by Wild Thang
Liverpool Gin Distillery - Entertainment Venue of the Year sponsored by Hotel Indigo
Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres - Business Events Venue sponsored by ACC Liverpool
The Art School - Experience of the Year sponsored by Merseyrail
British Music Experience - Taste Award – Restaurant of the Year sponsored by Owen Drew Candles
Rockwood Bistro - Large Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Wirral Chamber of Commerce
Knowsley Safari - Hotel of the Year sponsored by Expedia Group
Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa - Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award sponsored by National Museums Liverpool
Stephen Roberts, Crowne Plaza Liverpool