11 April 2008

Manchester Tourism Awards recognise the 'best of the best'

The winners of the Manchester Tourism Awards 2008 were announced last night in a glittering ceremony at Manchester Central.

The awards recognise the high level of investment and quality of tourism product across the region. They were presented by ex-Coronation Street actress Sally Lindsey in front of an audience of 400 of the region’s most influential tourism representatives.

The Manchester Tourism Awards are organised by Marketing Manchester, the agency charged with promoting Manchester on a national and international stage. They are supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the evening’s corporate sponsors.

The winners were as follows:

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year: Manchester Art Gallery
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year: Smithills Hall in Bolton
Large Hotel of the Year: Marriott Worsley Park Hotel & Country Club,
Small Hotel / Bed & Breakfast of the Year: Moss Lodge in Rochdale
Self Catering / Serviced Accommodation Award: Staying Cool
Tourism Restaurant of the Year: Nutters Restaurant in Rochdale
Taste of Manchester Award: Isinglass Restaurant in Urmston
Tourism Bar of the Year: Cloud 23, Hilton Manchester Deansgate
Tourism Retailer of the Year: The Trafford Centre
Business Tourism Awards: Manchester United
Sustainable Tourism Award: The Palace Hotel
I Love Manchester: The Frog and Bucket
Tourism Website of the Year: MoSI (The Museum of Science & Industry)
Tourism Experience of the Year: Manchester International Festival
Outstanding Customer Service Award: Madge Butler from Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, said: “All of the winners, and indeed nominees, for the Manchester Tourism Awards have contributed to another successful year for the city’s tourism industry. And with the city playing host to world championship sports events and major political party conferences this year, not to mention a full calendar of annual events, I’m sure this time next year we’ll be celebrating even bigger success.”

Peter Mearns, executive director of marketing at the NWDA, added: “I’d like to offer my congratulations to all of the winners of last night’s awards. It’s testament to the success of the city’s tourism industry that the calibre of entrants is improving year-on-year. I look forward to seeing many of the winners at the regional awards later this year, where they will be competing for a coveted place in the national awards.”

A number of the Manchester Tourism Award winners will go on to be entered into the England’s Northwest Tourism Awards 2008 later this year, which are organised by the NWDA.

ENDS

For more information or images of the event:

Marketing Manchester Communications Team
Tel: 0161 238 4586
Email: press@marketingmanchester.com

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Manchester Tourism Awards were sponsored by the following companies:

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year: Sponsored by Chill Factore
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year: Sponsored by The Trafford Centre
Large Hotel of the Year: Sponsored by NCP Manchester Limited
Taste of Manchester Award: Sponsored by Business Bolton
Tourism Bar of the Year: Sponsored by Cityco
Tourism Retailer of the Year: Sponsored by Premier Inn
Business Tourism Awards: Sponsored by MIDAS
Sustainable Tourism Award: Sponsored by Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA)
I Love Manchester: Sponsored by Manchester Evening News and Channel M
Tourism Website of the Year: Sponsored by Manchester Airport
Tourism Experience of the Year: Sponsored by Manchester Hoteliers Association
Outstanding Customer Service Award: Sponsored by Storecheckers