Liverpool Named in Top Three UK Cities for Second Successive Year [Archive]

Howie

09-06-2009, 01:29 AM

Liverpool Named in Top Three UK Cities for Second Successive Year

Liverpool has been named in the top three UK city break destinations for the second successive year by readers of travel bible, Conde Nast Traveller Magazine.

The announcement was made last night (Wednesday, 2 September) at the prestigious Conde Nast Traveller 11th Annual Readers? Travel Awards, held at The Royal Institution of Great Britain, London.

This is the second year that Liverpool has found itself ranked behind only London and Edinburgh in the list of favourite UK cities. In 2007, Liverpool was placed seventh.

Liverpool?s third position for 2009 places the city ahead of other popular destinations including Bath (4th); Oxford (5th); Manchester (6th) and York (7th).

Full details of the Awards can be found at: www.cntraveller.co.uk/?zed

The news has delighted The Mersey Partnership (TMP), the City Region?s Official Tourist Board, which promotes the city on national and international platforms.

Lorraine Rogers, Chief Executive of Liverpool City Region?s official Tourist Board The Mersey Partnership said: ?This is fantastic news, Conde Nast Traveller readers are among the most discerning travellers in the world and this makes the accolade even more special.

?To have moved from seventh position in 2007 to third in 2008, in the space of just one year, was a great achievement ? but to have retained third place is outstanding. This makes Liverpool the favourite destination excluding capital cities London and Edinburgh.?

Nick Brooks-Sykes, Director of Tourism at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said: ?This is fantastic news for Liverpool and for the Northwest. European Capital of Culture certainly helped put the city on the map as a world-class visitor destination, but it?s the continued investment in quality that has helped Liverpool retain its position in Conde Nast?s top three. Liverpool?s visitor economy has fought against the current economic climate with continued investment, refreshing its offer and encouraging people to visit again and again.?

Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: ?To be voted one of the top three favourite UK cities for the first time was a wonderful advert for the progress Liverpool has made, so to repeat the feat is a greater achievement. But let?s be clear ? we?re aiming higher. I want Liverpool to be number one. We have the facilities, the cultural offer and we give visitors a fantastic welcome ? but there?s always room for improvement and the City Council with its partners is totally committed to achieving that goal.?

Councillor Gary Millar, Executive Member for Enterprise and Tourism, said: ?This survey is another great sign that the city?s hard work to capitalise on the success of ?08 is already bearing fruit. This rating for the second successive year also bodes well for the future as it is based on what tourists think which is priceless, as everyone knows word of mouth recommendation is the best endorsement any destination can hope for. And the word is out ? Liverpool is a must-see city.?

Sarah Miller, Editor of Cond? Nast Traveller, is full of praise for Liverpool?s successful ranking: ?Liverpool is one of my favourite cities in the North West so it was with delight to see that, after its sensational year as European Capital of Culture, our readers have been impressed by its architecture, awarding it even higher marks than London, propelling it into third place ahead of other world-class cities such as Bath.?

Readers were asked to vote on aesthetics/architecture, cleanliness, culture, environmental friendliness, food/restaurants, nightlife/entertainment, people/hospitality, range of accommodation, safety and value for money.

The full results of this year?s Conde Nast Traveller Awards are published in the October issue of the magazine, on sale today (Thursday, 3 September).

To find out more about the Liverpool City Region log onto www.VisitLiverpool.com

Source: Northwest Regional Development Agency (http://www.nwda.co.uk/news--events/press-releases/200901/liverpool-named-in-top-three-u.aspx)