Liverpool ONE has been voted the Coach Friendly Shopping Destination of the Year at the annual Coach Tourism Awards, held in Liverpool on 9 May.
The retail and leisure destination fought off tough competition from three other shortlisted destinations around the country in The Coach Tourism Awards 2013 at an event held at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.
The Coach Tourism Awards announcement comes soon after Liverpool City Council was named as the Most Coach Friendly Local Authority at the UK Coach Rally & Awards earlier in the year. This time the city has been recognised for its shopping offer.
Liverpool’s standing as a group and coach friendly destination has dramatically increased in recent years thanks to the introduction of the Liverpool Coach Welcome Scheme, with more group travel operators keen to include Liverpool in their itineraries. As a result, organisers of The Coach Tourism Awards chose Liverpool to host the 2013 national event.
Commenting on the award success, Donna Howitt, Marketing Director at Liverpool ONE said: “Since the launch of the Liverpool ONE coach facility with Merseytravel last year we have dramatically improved the accessibility of the city centre for coach visitors.
“We are absolutely thrilled to win this award at such a prestigious national event. To host the important awards ceremony in the city is testament to how appealing and accessible Liverpool has become to the group travel industry. We continue to improve our offer for people visiting by coach, to ensure their experience in the whole city is enjoyable. Our ongoing partnership with Merseytravel makes coach visits to the city hassle-free and convenient.
“This award cements the city’s reputation as a true shopping destination.”
Since opening in 2008, Liverpool ONE has propelled the city within the top five retail destinations in the UK.
Councillor Wendy Simon, Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism, said: “For Liverpool ONE to win this award is testament that the city is one of the most popular places for people to visit in the UK. Liverpool is firmly on the map as a shopping destination and increasing numbers of tourists only benefits the wider economy.”
Chris Brown, Head of Marketing Liverpool said: “We would like to congratulate Liverpool ONE on its success in winning the Coach Friendly Shopping Destination of the Year at the Coach Tourism Awards ceremony. This is richly deserved recognition for a product that has completely transformed the city’s retail offer and for the tireless work they put in to ensuring that they consistently deliver a high quality of welcome and service.”
This year the event was hosted by editor of Coach Monthly, Stuart Render, and television presenter and travel expert, Judith Chalmers.
Stuart Render, Editor of Coach Monthly said: “Delivering a quality welcome to coaches, their drivers and their groups is becoming more and more important as destinations look to encourage more visitors. Liverpool ONE was up against many of the UK’s leading shopping destinations so this is therefore a well-deserved and a significant achievement.”