Shortlist for Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards announced

The Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards shortlist was officially announced today setting the stage for an exciting celebration of the region’s thriving tourism and hospitality sector.

An expert judging panel whittled down a record number of entries across 19 categories into the shortlist revealed today. The number and quality of entries reflects the continued growth of the city region’s tourism industry.

The finalists will now go forward to a glittering awards ceremony at Liverpool Cathedral on Thursday 27 February 2025.

Organised by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and supported by the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), the prestigious awards highlight the best of tourism and hospitality across the city region.

This year’s 19 categories include awards for accommodation providers, attractions, food and drink venues and new tourism businesses. New for this year are the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism award and the International Tourism award.

Fourteen of the winners will then go forward to the Visit England Awards for Excellence in June 2025.

Cllr Wharton, Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade said:

“Once again, we are delighted to have received so many entries for the Tourism Awards this year. With tourism now worth over £6bn to the Liverpool City Region these awards are a celebration of our city region’s thriving tourism industry and its enormous contribution to our economy.  Year on year the support for the awards continues to grow as businesses recognise the value of being involved. In particular it is pleasing to see support for the two new categories – Accessible & Inclusive Tourism and the International Tourism Award. Special thanks go to our experienced panel of judges who have had a difficult job in shortlisting this year as the quality of entries have been so high.”

More than 60m people visited the city region in 2023, generating over £6bn for the local economy.

Bill Addy, Chief Executive at Liverpool BID Company and Headline Sponsor, said:

“As we prepare to gather together again to celebrate those working in our tourism industry and visitor economy it is a moment to think about how important these businesses, individuals and events are to our city region economy. It is not just jobs but experiences, welcomes, visits, special days out and cultural moments. Tourism is a vital ingredient in the business of the Liverpool City Region and its importance is something we just both celebrate and innovate to keep ourselves ahead of the game in such a competitive field.” 

The ‘Liverpool City Region Hidden Gem’ category will also be back for 2024 and sponsored by The Guide Liverpool. This category will be voted for by the public and will recognise the region’s ‘best kept secret’. Hidden Gems could be attractions, bars, restaurants, tours, or natural assets which are off the main tourism trail.

The headline sponsor is Liverpool BID Company, with associate sponsor Liverpool ONE. Other confirmed sponsors and event partners are ACC Liverpool, Bolland & Lowe, BDO LLP, The Guide Liverpool, Kimpton, Knowsley Safari, Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool Football Club, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, London Northwestern, Merseyrail, MSP Global, My Time, National Museums Liverpool, PIB Insurance, Ticket Quarter, The Art School, The City of Liverpool College, The Metro, Virgin Experience Days and Wild Thang.

The full shortlist is:

B&B and Guest House of the Year

The Bowden Lodge

The Braemar Southport

Sunnyside Guest House

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year           

Garden by The Bay

Happy Days Apartments

Quest Apartments Liverpool City Centre

Staybridge Suites Liverpool

The Eden Warehouse

Hotel of the Year      

Hope Street Hotel

Malmaison Liverpool

Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village

Pullman Liverpool

The Municipal Hotel & Spa MGallery Liverpool

Titanic Hotel Liverpool

Business Events Venue

Aintree Racecourse

Escape Live Liverpool

Hilton Hotel Liverpool

Rum Warehouse at Titanic Hotel Liverpool

Spaces at The Spine

The Lake House

New Tourism Business Award       

Arts Bar Baltic

Blackstock Market

Eureka! Science + Discovery

Gravity Max Liverpool ONE

Salt & Tar

School Lane Hotel

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award

Eureka! Science + Discovery

Liverpool Cathedral

Liverpool Philharmonic

Strawberry Field

Sunnyside Guest House

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award

Future Yard

Liverpool Philharmonic

Liverpool Properties, National Trust

NORD

Sunnyside Guest House

The Eden Warehouse

Titanic Hotel Liverpool

International Tourism Award          

Hotel Anfield

Liverpool Cathedral

Liverpool Tourist Information Centre

The Beatles Story

Taste of Liverpool Award – Café/Bistro of the Year         

Crosby Coffee

Imagine More Café at Strawberry Field

Museum of Liverpool Café

The Bluecoat Café

The Lake House

The Watering Can

Taste of Liverpool Award – Restaurant of the Year         

Antonio’s Bar & Grill

Chamber 36

Delifonseca Dockside

Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill

Salt House Tapas

Tik Taco

Pub of the Year        

The Bridewell

The Jacaranda

The One O’Clock Gun

The Red Fox

The Windmill Southport

Experience of the Year        

Fab 4 Taxi Tours

Mersey Tunnel Tours

National Trust, The Beatles’ Childhood Homes

Reel Tours

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year           

Liverpool Football Club Tours & Experiences

Liverpool Cathedral

National Trust, Speke Hall

The Beatles Story

World Museum Liverpool

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year           

British Music Experience

Port Sunlight Museum

Royal Liver Building 360 Tour

Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust

Strawberry Field

Entertainment Venue of the Year

Arts Bar Hope Street

Albert’s Schloss

Liverpool Philharmonic

Salt & Tar

Shakespeare North Playhouse

The Liverpool Empire Theatre

Tourism Young Person of the Year           

Jack Frank, Hilton Hotel Liverpool

Ellen Taylor, INNSiDE By Melia

Philip Barnes, Mersey Ferries

Erin Lorimer, Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village

Liam Roberts, School Lane Hotel

Tom Hughes, The Bus Yard

Daisy Cooper, Titanic Hotel Liverpool

Unsung Hero Award

Mark McKenna, Liverpool Tourist Information Centre

Craig Cavanagh, Masons Liverpool

Phil Witter, National Museums Liverpool

Simon Osborne, National Trust

Jean Milton, Port Sunlight Village Trust

Bridget Mulroy, Shakespeare North Playhouse

Veso Mihaylov, The Jacaranda/Jacaranda Baltic

By nominating a ‘Hidden Gem,’ they could be catapulted into the Tourism Awards spotlight. Please click here to nominate your Hidden Gem.

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