FIVE hundred and seventy people made last night's Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards a sell out, a record number for the black tie, fur coat and gin-soaked event.
Tourism is on the up, up, up, hereabouts and this annual beano, at St George's Hall, is the time when everyone in the hardworking hospitality sector lets their hair down.
In total, there were 19 awards up for grabs in the event, this year hosted by comedian and actor Neil Fitzmaurice.
The amount of entrants tripled this year, battling their way through the GSCE-like application form. Some were duly rewarded. Berry & Rye recieved a commendation for outstanding customer service and The Brink "scooped" the best bar award, despite alcohol never having passed its lips. People, you have to be in it to win it.
Hilary OxladeTour guide Hilary Oxlade, above, was the stand-out winner on the night, scooping the award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism. Hilary has run tours in Liverpool for the past 35 years and is a specialist in subjects including The Beatles and Liverpool’s cathedrals. You can't get away from those Beatles, and the People’s Choice award was won by the Cavern Club.
Guests were treated to a complimentary Liverpool Gin cocktail or two on arrival and the feeding of the 500 was down to the Yacht Club.
The posh all girl Siren String Quartet were the turn.
THE WINNERS
A scoop for the Brink which won best barOUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE – SPONSORED BY LIVERPOOL BID COMPANY
Kasia Psiuk, Bistro Qui? – Winner
Alison Crawford, Berry and Rye – Highly Commended
TOURISM MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY INFLUENTIAL
Liverpool Biennial
SERVICED APARTMENT OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY CLEANALL
Staybridge Suites Liverpool
TOURISM EVENT OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY LIVERPOOL ONE
Giant Spectacular – Winner
Southport Air Show – Highly Commended
TOURISM EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY LIVERPOOL HOTELIERS ASSOCIATION
Shiverpool
BAR OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY MARKETING LIVERPOOL
The Brink – Winner
The Smugglers Cove – Highly Commended
TASTE LIVERPOOL – SPONSORED BY NATWEST
Delifonseca Dockside & Fonseca’s
SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY WILD THANG
Port Sunlight Museum – Winner
Shore Cottage Studio – Highly Commended
LARGE VISITOR ATTACTION OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY DAVY LIVER TAXIS
Knowsley Safari
EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS TOURISM – SPONSORED BY ACC LIVERPOOL
The Foresight Centre, University of Liverpool
GUEST ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY TAMZYN ANGELA
Mere Brook House
TOURISM AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY WEBTICKETMANAGER
Kerrin MacPhie, ACC Liverpool
PERFORMANCE VENUE OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY MSP
Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse – Winner
Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park – Highly Commended
INDEPENDENT TOURISM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY LIVERPOOL CITY REGION LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP
Shiverpool
BEST NEWCOMER TO THE VISITOR ECONOMY – SPONSORED BY EVENTFUL
Seecret Tours – Winner
Titanic Hotel Stanley Dock Liverpool – Highly Commended
TOURISM YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY L20 HOTEL SCHOOL
Daniel Heffy, The Art School Restaurant
PEOPLE’S CHOICE – SPONSORED BY LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL
The Cavern Club
HOTEL OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY LIVERPOOL JOHN LENNON AIRPORT
Hope Street Hotel
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TOURISM
Hilary Oxlade
