The largest ever gathering of UK inbound tourism businesses is taking place in Liverpool this week, in an event estimated to be worth almost £250,000 to the local economy.
The annual convention of travel trade association, UKinbound, in partnership with Marketing Liverpool, is taking place on September 25-26, and immediately follows the Labour Party Annual Conference in the city, another moneyspinner for the regional economy.
More than 420 tourism industry professionals will take part in the event, at the city’s iconic St George’s Hall, with a theme of ‘Future Proofing’.
Tourism is the UK’s second largest service export industry, worth £2.2bn to the North West economy annually in 2023 – up 34% on 2019 – and £31bn to the UK as a whole.
This industry is vitally important to regional economies across the North West and Liverpool – international visitors spending on average three times that of a domestic visitor
Inbound tourism has the ability to grow by 20% by 2027, in comparison with a UK average of five per cent for the wider economy.
The delegates will include UK tour operators (buyers) who arrange trips to the UK for international tourists, and suppliers, including UK attractions and hotels.
The event features two days of networking opportunities, seminars and workshops, one-to-one business meetings and engaging discussions on the critical issues facing the industry.
There is also a local suppliers fair where buyers can meet with more than 30 local companies to do business. Those exhibiting include Liverpool Tours Experience, Splash Tours Liverpool and Knowsley Hall.
Speakers include Scott O’Neil, the Merlin Entertainments CEO who is making the keynote speech, Emma Wilkinson, Deputy Director Global Marketing, VisitBritain, and Dr James Kennell, Head of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Surrey.
Merlin Entertainments is a global specialist in location-based entertainment. Its portfolio includes eight attractions in Blackpool, such as The Blackpool Tower, Madame Tussauds Blackpool and SEA LIFE Blackpool.
Last year Blackpool Council awarded Merlin the contract to manage its Sandcastle Waterpark at South Beach.
Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in familiarisation trips alongside the conference, which feature a Beatles and waterfront walking tour and visits to attractions including the Western Approaches WWII Museum and Port Sunlight Village.
New Anfield Road stand (courtesy LFC)
The event kicks off at St George’s Hall on September 25, and will switch a couple of miles the following day to Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium.
Joss Croft, chief executive, UKinbound, said: “It is fantastic to be here in Liverpool to deliver our 2024 Annual Convention, which will be the UK’s largest ever gathering of inbound tourism professionals.
“The nearly 700,000 international visitors who visit Liverpool each year are incredibly valuable to the Merseyside economy and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to further showcase what the city has to offer international visitors, from its lively waterfront, grand architecture, and buzzing music scene, alongside being home of The Beatles and two very successful football clubs.”
He added: “We are excited to roll out an outstanding event for our delegates from across the UK, alongside our Liverpudlian partners.”
