Liverpool’s tourism market continues to expand

Liverpool city region's visitor economy now supports 46,000 jobs and generates income in excess of £3.4bn, according to Liverpool LEP.

Independent research commissioned by the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership suggests that the destination now attracts more than 52m day visitors annually.

The number of overnight visitors has risen to more than 4.6m, it is claimed.

Pam Wilsher, head of visitor economy development at the LEP – the region's destination management organisation – said: "Our visitor economy is growing from strength to strength.

"These figures underline the appeal and popularity of our destination offer as well as the enormous effort and investment undertaken by all of those who work in the sector to make it the success it is."

Outlining the impact of visitor growth in the Liverpool city region, the report suggests that there was:

• 6% increase in tourism supported jobs from 43,316 in 2011 to 45,890 in 2012 – net job creation gain of 2,574 jobs in one year
• 4% increase in tourism revenues from £3.267bn in 2011 to £3.412bn in 2012
• 3% increase in day visitors from 50.51m in 2011 to 52.13m in 2012
• 3% increase in overnight visitors from 4.48m in 2011 to 4.63m in 2012

In Liverpool alone, there was:

• 8% increase in tourism supported jobs from 27,637 in 2011 to 29,833 in 2012 – net job creation gain of 2,196 jobs in one year
• 6% increase in tourism revenues from £2.117bn in 2011 to £2.251bn in 2012
• 6% increase in day visitors from 28.5m in 2011 to 30.1m in 2012
• 6% increase in overnight from 1.98m in 2011 to 2.1m in 2012

Liverpool Mayor Cllr Joe Anderson said: "These figures are extremely encouraging and show how the city is now regarded as one of the must-visit destinations, not only in the UK but from across the world."