WIRRAL'S visitor economy has gone from strength to strength, with tourism now worth more than £350 million a year.

A new report by the city region's Local Enterprise Partnership shows the borough's tourism economy - up nearly 40% since 2009 - supports 4,800 full-time jobs and attracts more t han 7.5m visitors each year.

Council leader Phil Davies said: “Last year’s Open Championship, and the recent welcome for Cunard’s Three Queens have really helped put Wirral on the UK visitor map. The latest statistics tell us we’ve seen a 78% increase in visitors staying in Wirral’s hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs since 2009.

“It is one of our ‘Wirral 2020’ pledges to grow our visitor economy to £450 million in the next five years. It is encouraging that, despite the challenging economic climate, we are seeing our peninsula’s visitor economy continue to flourish and we are well on the way to meeting this pledge.”

The report shows employment in the sector has increased by 20% while the number of visitors to the borough has risen by 14% during the same period.

Lorna Tyson, chair of the Wirral Tourism Business Network, welcomed the report’s findings.

She said: “It is brilliant news for Wirral’s tourism businesses and highlights the work we are doing in partnership with Wirral Council with our joint visitor offer.

“We have a collective 10 year vision based on continued growth and this latest report demonstrates we’re on track to achieve our goals.”

WTBN brings together organisations from the accommodation, food and drink, leisure, attractions, coast and heritage sectors to plan and help drive forward the visitor economy in Wirral.

The council’s tourism team also supports targeted campaigns and media visits, a dedicated tourism website, social media and promotional literature including the many visitor, food & drink, and attractions guides.

Brand new for 2016 will be a “Celebrate in Wirral” guide for weddings and event organisers looking for quality venues for their clients’ big day.

Ms Tyson added: “The tourism team highlights our area’s award-winning offer and delivers what is needed to drive business to our peninsula. I’m really encouraged by the latest statistics and the potential for the future, not just for my own guesthouse, but for our tourism sector as a whole.” 

Cllr Davies said: "Tourism is one of our key priorities for regeneration, so I’m committed to continuing this partnership in order to drive growth and create more jobs."

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Wirral is leading the way in a number of tourism fields. Here are six of the best things the borough has to offer...

 

BEACHES

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  • Wirral boasts three beaches named as 'excellent' in the recent Good Beach Guide - Meols, Moreton and Wallasey.
     

PARKS

Wirral Globe:

  • The borough has also achieved a prestigious 17 Green Flag Awards for its parks. These awards recognise the best green spaces in the country and include what is regarded as the world's first municipal park, Birkenhead Park (picture attached), and Britain's first designated country park, Wirral Country Park.

 

FOOD

  • Fraiche in Oxton Village is Merseyside’s first and only Michelin star restaurant, as highlighted in the 2015 guide. It is now ranked 1 in the top 100 restaurants in The Sunday Times Food List, and 17th in the country within the Which Good Food Guide.

Wirral Globe:

  • Caffe Cream at Marine Point was named “UK's Best Café” at the Essential Café Awards 2014. It also received the “Wirral Taste Award” in 2015, five awards at the ICA National Ice Cream Championships 2015, including a diploma of merit for their Rum & Raisin and a special diploma of merit the Salted Caramel. The café was also named “Best Newcomer at the LCR Business Awards 2014”, “Best New Start-Up Business” at the Merseyside Independent Business Awards 2013 and received the “Guild Taste Award” by the Guild of Fine Food in 2013

 

HOTELS

 

  • Hillbark Hotel in Frankby (picture attached) is Merseyside’s first and only 5 star hotel. It has both a 3 AA rosette restaurant and recently received 2 AA rosettes for its Grill Room
     
  • Mere Brook House in Thornton Hough is the only 5 star gold award guest house in Merseyside