22 May 2009

Manchester tourIsm Awards winners announced

The winners of the Manchester Tourism Awards 2009 were revealed last night in a glittering ceremony held at The Palace Hotel. 

The awards were hosted by television and theatre actress Sally Lindsay and attracted an audience of the region’s most influential tourism representatives.

The winners were as follows:

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year: Imperial War Museum North

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year: Museum of the Manchester Regiment

Large Hotel of the Year: The Lowry Hotel

Small Hotel / Bed & Breakfast of the Year: Brooklands Lodge in Sale

Self Catering / Serviced Accommodation Award: Blue Rainbow Apartments

Taste of Manchester Award: The Modern

Tourism Bar of the Year: The Modern

Tourism Retailer of the Year: BoltonMarket

Business Tourism Awards: The Lowry Hotel

Sustainable Tourism Award: Radisson SAS Hotel

I Love Manchester: SapporoTeppanyaki

Tourism Experience of the Year:

Costumed performers at MoSI (Museum of Science and Industry)

Tourism Event of the Year: ManchesterPride    

Access for all: The Trafford Centre

Outstanding Customer Service Award:

Mahendran Mayan from The Renaissance Manchester Hotel

A number of the Manchester Tourism Award winners will go on to be entered into the England’s Northwest Tourism Awards 2009 later this year, which are organised by the NWDA.

Paul Simpson, managing director of Visit Manchester, said: “All of this year’s winners and nominees have contributed to another highly successful twelve months for the city’s tourism industry. Manchester has established itself as a leading tourist destination and was highlighted this week by Lonely Planet as the envy of any urban centre in Europe.  This kind of recognition wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and commitment of our industry professionals.  Last nights winners should be justifiably proud of their achievements.”

Peter Mearns, executive director of marketing and communications at the NWDA, added: “These awards recognise and reward the best of Manchester’s tourism industry and I’d like to offer my congratulations to all of the winners. Manchester consistently produces top quality entrants for the regional awards and I look forward to welcoming them to the England’s Northwest Awards later this year.”

The Manchester Tourism Awards were organised by Marketing Manchester, the agency charged with promoting Manchester on a national and international stage.  The awards also had support from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and numerous sponsors. 

ENDS

For more information or images of the event:

Marketing Manchester Communications Team

Tel: 0161 237 1010

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 Virgin Trains

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

Business Tourism Awards: Sponsored by MIDAS

Sustainable Tourism Award: Sponsored by Natural Economy Northwest

I Love Manchester: Sponsored by MEN and Channel m

Tourism Experience of the Year: Manchester Hoteliers Association

Tourism Event of the Year: Sponsored by CrossCountry trains

Access for all: Sponsored by the Northwest Regional Development Agency

Outstanding Customer Service Award: Sponsored by Manchester Airport