Tourism businesses shortlisted for TMP awards

The Mersey Partnership, the tourist board for the Liverpool city region, has announced a shortlist for its tourism awards being held in May.

TMP said judges have completed the first round of judging to review the achievements of more than 100 entrants from a variety of large and small tourism businesses to determine the shortlist.

TMP added that the second round will include a series of judges visits and mystery shops to venues in selected categories.

This year, a new category titled Culture and Heritage Experience replaces the performance venue category.

TMP said the award is open to historic sites, museums, galleries and performance venues, as well as specific cultural programmes and events.

Ian Ayre, TMP's visitor economy committee chairman and managing director of Liverpool Football Club, said: "The TMP Tourism Awards recognise the hard work and commitment across the visitor economy sector. The large number of entries shortlisted this year is testament to the exceptional quality of excellence in the venues and attractions across the city region. We are delighted to see such a diverse spectrum of venues represented in what is a very competitive industry."

Nick Brooks-Sykes, director of tourism at the North West Development Agency, added: "Tourism is a vital part of the region's economy, worth over £14bn a year and supporting almost 7% of the region's workforce. However, this is an internationally competitive market and so we must ensure that we offer the facilities and services that visitors are looking for. The Tourism Awards recognise those tourism businesses that strive to offer world class tourism experiences, attracting visitors to our region and contributing to our regional economy."

The awards are supported by transport authority Merseytravel, Grosvenor's Liverpool One, ACC Liverpool and BBC Radio Merseyside.

The TMP Tourism Awards 2011 is being held on Thursday 26 May at the Arena and Convention Centre in Liverpool.

Those shortlisted for the 15 award categories includes:

Guest Accommodation of the Year

Hatters Liverpool (Liverpool)

Knowsley Hall (Knowsley)

21 Park House (Wirral)

At Peel Hey (Wirral)

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year

BridgeStreet at Liverpool One (Liverpool)

Premier Apartments Liverpool (Liverpool)

Herons Well Holiday Cottage (Wirral)

Hotel of the Year

Hilton Liverpool (Liverpool)

Hope Street Hotel (Liverpool)

Novotel Liverpool (Liverpool)

Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa (Sefton)

Ramada Plaza Southport (Sefton)

Hillbark Hotel & Spa (Wirral)

Leverhulme Hotel & Spa (Wirral)

Small Visitor Attraction

Jungle Parc (Liverpool)

Mersey Tunnel Tours (Liverpool)

The Hardmans' House (Liverpool)

The Beatles' Childhood Homes – Mendips & 20 Forthlin Road (Liverpool)

The U-boat Story (Wirral)

Large Visitor attraction

Albert Dock Liverpool (Liverpool)

Liverpool Football Club (Liverpool)

Merseyside Maritime Museum (Liverpool)

The Beatles Story (Liverpool)

Knowsley Safari Park (Knowsley)

Spaceport (Wirral)

Mersey Ferries (Wirral)

Excellence in Business Tourism

BT Convention Centre (Liverpool)

Merseyside Maritime Museum (Liverpool)

The Foresight Centre (Liverpool)

Knowsley Hall (Knowsley)

Haydock Park (St.Helens)

Taste Liverpool

60 Hope Street (Liverpool)

Lunya (Liverpool)

The London Carriage Works (Liverpool)

The Quarter (Liverpool)

Restaurant Richard Fox at Leverhulme Hotel (Wirral)

Tourism Experience

Mersey Ferries – Manchester Ship Canal Cruise (Liverpool)

Mersey Tunnel Tours (Liverpool)

The John Moores Painting Prize at Walker Art Gallery (Liverpool)

The Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse (Sefton)

Tourism Event

DaDaFest (Liverpool)

Liverpool Biennial (Liverpool)

Paradise in the Park (Liverpool)

Liverpool Food and Drink Festival (Liverpool)

Bed-In at the Bluecoat (Liverpool)

The John Smith's Grand National (Sefton)

Wirral Food and Drink Festival (Wirral)

Culture and Heritage Experience

FACT (Liverpool)

Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres (Liverpool)

Liverpool Philharmonic Programme 2010 (Liverpool)

Picasso: Peace and Freedom – Tate Liverpool (Liverpool)

The Bluecoat (Liverpool)

Bar

Pima Bar at Hilton Liverpool (Liverpool)

MOJO (Liverpool)

Palm Sugar Lounge (Liverpool)

Alma de Cuba (Liverpool)

Gallaghers Pub and Barbers (Wirral)

Oxton Bar and Terrace (Wirral)

The Wro (Wirral)

Tourism Marketing Initiative

Liverpool Coach Welcome at the Anglican Cathedral (Liverpool)

Touched – Liverpool Biennial (Liverpool)

Picasso: Peace and Freedom – Tate Liverpool (Liverpool)

The European Peace Monument – The Beatles Story (Liverpool)

Tourism Retailer

Disney Store (Liverpool)

Everton Two (Liverpool)

World Museum Liverpool Shop (Liverpool)

The Beatles Story (Liverpool)

Utility (Liverpool)

Sustainable Tourism

Arena & Convention Centre Liverpool (Liverpool)

Jungle Parc (Liverpool)

Radisson BLU Hotel Liverpool (Liverpool)

Excellence in Customer Service *

Kevin Roberts, Liverpool ONE (Liverpool)

George Sourbutts, Barons Bar Scarisbrick Hotel (Sefton)

Cliff Bowden, Lady Lever Art Gallery (Wirral)

Jackie Burke, Compass Group at Haydock Park Racecourse (St.Helens)

Alison Storah, National Wildflower Centre (Knowsley)

Sue Halliday, Catalyst Science Discovery Centre (Halton)

* TMP said the Excellence In Customer Service award has six finalists, each representing the districts of Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. The finalists have been judged on the level of service and commitment in their individual roles in attractions, hotels and restaurants

Your Comments

Read our comments policy

Related Articles

Sign up to receive the Place Daily Briefing

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox

Subscribe

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Job Field*
Other regional Publications - select below