Now in its 11th year, the Wirral Tourism Awards recognise and reward the outstanding contributions made by local individuals, groups and businesses in this important and growing business sector.

The industry contributes £385 million a year to the local economy, attracting more than eight million visitors and supporting more than 5,000 full-time jobs.

This year’s awards culminate with a glittering gala dinner at The Floral Pavilion in New Brighton on Wednesday 12 April 2017.

Cllr Tony Jones, Wirral Council’s Tourism Champion, said: “The Tourism Awards are a great way to celebrate the many individuals, groups and businesses that have helped to make Wirral’s visitor economy the fastest growing in the Liverpool city region.

“As a key economic driver for the Wirral 2020 Plan, it is vital that we continue to develop and promote our tourism offer and to shout about its fantastic assets from the rooftops.”

Nominations are being invited in the following award categories:-

• Tourism Star
• Bar of the Year
• People’s Choice
• Bed & Breakfast of the Year
• Volunteer Team of the Year
• Hotel of the Year
• Taste Wirral
• Attraction of the Year
• Event of the Year
• Independent Business of the Year
• Sustainable Tourism Award
• Hidden Gem

The People’s Choice category will be judged on nominations from the public, including customers and visitors. For all other categories, organisations are invited to nominate themselves or their own staff.

Two further awards will be presented on the night; Young Chef of the Year, which is awarded by Wirral Metropolitan College and Wirral Tourism Ambassador, who is identified by the Tourism sector in recognition of an outstanding contribution to tourism in Wirral by an individual, team or business.

Each category is kindly supported by the region’s business community and this year they include Contessa Hotels, Ness Botanic Gardens, Printfine Limited, Woods Squared Limited, Wirral Chamber of Commerce and Wirral Metropolitan College.

The deadline for nominations is Monday 1st March. After that, a panel of judges will review entries and draw up a shortlist, which will usually be no more than three. Those shortlisted will be considered by an independent expert category judge who will choose the winner.

The Wirral Tourism Ambassador is someone who has shown dedication and commitment to service excellence in the tourism, leisure and hospitality industry over a period of several years. They will have gained industry respect locally and perhaps further afield.

To make a nomination in any of the categories, go to https://www.wirraltourismawards.com/2017-awards.html

You can also keep up to date by following @visit_wirral