Member Article

Liverpool's Rough Guide accolade welcomed by city

The director of Marketing Liverpool has welcomed the Rough Guides inclusion of Liverpool in the list of the top 10 cities in in the world to visit in 2014 – the only city in England to make the list.

Chris Brown said that there are multiple reasons to visit the city at any time, but 2014 will be a special year for anyone making the trip to the city.

Rough Guides, one of the most prominent travel guide book series in the world, publishes an annual list of cities and countries to visit each year. Liverpool came third on the list, behind Rio de Janeiro and Sarajevo and ahead of Umeå in Sweden, a European Capital of Culture in 2014.

The listing, which highlights both the old and new of the city, reads: ‘What began with the gradual redevelopment of the Albert Dock area has evolved into a full-blown cultural renaissance. Liverpool, once named the world’s pop music capital, has rediscovered its mojo. And guess what? It’s setting trends again.

‘Visit in 2014 to experience the Liverpool Biennial, a ten-week-long contemporary arts festival over the summer that sees the city filled with works from around the world. Also keep an eye out for new creative quarters like the Baltic Triangle, where bars and fashion studios are springing up in old, brick-built warehouses near the Mersey.’

Chris Brown, director of Marketing Liverpool, said: “Rough Guides is one of the foremost names in tourism, and its annual lists are highly respected. Therefore we are delighted that Liverpool has been named the top UK city and third in world for people to visit this yearchosen as third best city in 2014, among illustrious company, including the venue for the World Cup final and the European Capital of Culture.

“Liverpool is increasingly receiving this kind of recognition, which proves our growing reputation on an international scale. Where once the main draws were The Beatles or football, now there are a multiple reasons for people to come here and the visitor economy has been reaping the rewards.

“The Rough Guides write-up rightly identifies Albert Dock, Liverpool Biennial and the Baltic Triangle as key reasons to visit the city. This is without even mentioning the return of the Giants, the Mondrian and Warhol exhibitions at Tate Liverpool, International Festival for Business or The Open Championship. When you look at the variety and depth of Liverpool’s offer, you can truly appreciate why we are cited as one of the best cities in the world to visit this year.”

Sue Grindrod, chair of the Liverpool Waterfront Business Partnership CIC, added: “The inclusion of Albert Dock in the listing was richly deserved and very fitting, after we celebrated 25 years since its redevelopment.

“We see people of every nationality visiting the Waterfront for Tate Liverpool, The Beatles Story, ACC Liverpool, the fantastic museums or arriving in the city through the Cruise Liner Terminal.

“This is without mentioning the outstanding architecture, variety of leisure options and draw of the Three Graces. Feedback from visitors shows that Liverpool boasts an exceptionally high satisfaction rate, and many return to the city again.

“While the Waterfront is the iconic image of Liverpool, the rest of the city is also stronger than it has been for years and it’s wonderful to see. Together, we will show new visitors to Liverpool just why we are so highly rated.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .