LFC, Beatles Story, and Aintree Racecourse among big winners at Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards

Liverpool’s tourism and hospitality sector was in the spotlight last night as the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards celebrated the very best in the industry at a glittering ceremony at Liverpool Cathedral.

Among the big winners at this year’s Tourism Awards was LFC, Aintree Racecourse, The Beatles Story, and Strawberry Field, the world-famous site immortalised in The Beatles’ song, which picked up two awards – Small Visitor Attraction of the Year and Taste Café/Bistro of the Year for its Imagine More Café.

The other double winners were Sunnyside Guest House in Southport – which was crowned B&B/Guest House of the Year and also collected the increasingly popular Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award – and Wirral’s Eureka! Science + Discovery, which won the New Tourism Business category and the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award. 

Held at Liverpool Cathedral and delivered by Liverpool City Region’s Local Visitor Economy Partnership and the Combined Authority, the glittering awards recognised excellence across the city region’s tourism and hospitality industry during 2024. 

The Beatles Story picked up the International Tourism Award, a new category which recognises businesses who provide an unforgettable visitor experience for international visitors, whilst the coveted Hotel of the Year award went to Titanic Hotel Liverpool. 

The ‘Liverpool City Region Hidden Gem’ award – the only category voted for by the public and recognising the region’s best kept secret – went to Wallasey Beach Club. The lively community hub is a hotspot for water sports enthusiasts featuring kitesurfing, swimming and sailing. 

The evening culminated with two special awards. The Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award went to Michael Eakin OBE – for his services as Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic which is seen as a key cultural institution in the city region’s visitor economy. Cunard picked up the Special Recognition Award for their contribution to Liverpool’s cruise sector and their impact on both the visitor economy and wider city region economy.

Last year the Queen Anne naming ceremony brought tens of thousands of visitors to Liverpool’s waterfront and this year the company will be celebrating its 185th anniversary of its first transatlantic service from Liverpool to North America in the city. 

Other winners included Liverpool Football Club Tours & Experiences (Large Visitor Attraction of the Year), Shakespeare North Playhouse (Entertainment Venue of the Year) and Mersey Ferries’ Philip Barnes (Tourism Young Person of the Year). 

The evening was hosted by Kevin Duala of BBC Radio Merseyside and guests were welcomed with a drinks reception sponsored by Liverpool Football Club with entertainment from VIP Puppets and students from LIPA. 

Councillor Mike Wharton, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade said: 

“Huge congratulations to all the winners as well as the shortlisted businesses and individuals, at this year’s Tourism Awards. Tourism is a major economic driver in Liverpool City Region, and it is the dedication and passion of those working in the tourism sector that makes our region the world-class destination that it is – driving growth, creating jobs, and contributing billions to our economy.” 

Headline sponsor of the awards were Liverpool BID Company and their Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communication, Katie Bentley, said: 

“We are honoured to be able to offer our continued support for the annual awards. It’s so important to cast a spotlight on the very best in our world-famous tourism industry. It’s been such a special year and we are excited to celebrate the innovation, the commitment to audiences and the creativity on show. This is such a valuable industry that contributes so much to our local economy and international reputation.”  

Associate sponsor was Liverpool ONE with category sponsors being ACC Liverpool, B&L Creative, BDO LLP, City of Liverpool College, The Guide Liverpool, Kimpton, Knowsley Safari, Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, London Northwestern Railway, Merseyrail, National Museums Liverpool, PIB Insurance, The Art School, Ticket Quarter, Virgin Experience Days and Wild Thang. 

The awards were also supported by Cool Breeze Events, Liverpool Football Club, The Metro, MSP Global, and Punch Tarmey’s with the charity partner Local Solutions My Time. 

Full list of winners:  

Tourism Young Person of the Year – sponsored by City of Liverpool College and The Art School  

WINNER: Philip Barnes, Mersey Ferries 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Jack Frank, Hilton Liverpool 

Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by Liverpool ONE 

WINNER: Mark McKenna, Liverpool Tourist Information Centre 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Veso Mihaylov, The Jacaranda/Jacaranda Baltic 

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

WINNER: Sunnyside Guest House Southport 

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year – sponsored by Knowsley Safari 

WINNER: Quest Liverpool City Centre 

Hotel of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool BID Company  

WINNER: Titanic Hotel Liverpool 

Business Events Venue – sponsored by National Museums Liverpool  

WINNER: Aintree Racecourse 

New Tourism Business Award – sponsored by BDO LLP 

WINNER: Eureka! Science + Discovery 

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award – sponsored by Kimpton 

WINNER: Sunnyside Guest House 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Future Yard 

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award – sponsored by ACC Liverpool 

WINNER: Eureka! Science + Discovery 

International Tourism Award – sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport 

WINNER: The Beatles Story 

Taste of Liverpool Award – Café/Bistro of the Year – sponsored by B&L Creative  

WINNER: Imagine More Café at Strawberry Field 

Taste of Liverpool Award – Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by PIB Insurance 

WINNER: Antonio’s Bar & Grill 

Pub of the Year – sponsored by Wild Thang  

WINNER: The One O’Clock Gun 

Entertainment Venue of the Year – sponsored by London Northwestern Railway 

WINNER: Shakespeare North Playhouse 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Arts Bar Hope Street 

Experience of the Year – sponsored by Merseyrail  

WINNER: Fab 4 Taxi Tours 

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Ticket Quarter  

WINNER: Strawberry Field 

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Virgin Experience Days 

WINNER: Liverpool Football Club Tours & Experiences  

Liverpool City Region Hidden Gem – sponsored by The Guide Liverpool 

WINNER: Wallasey Beach Club 

Special Recognition Award – awarded by the Local Visitor Economy Partnership Board 

WINNER: Cunard 

Outstanding Contribution to Tourism – awarded by the Local Visitor Economy Partnership Board 

WINNER: Michael Eakin OBE 

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