2008 Travel Trade Fam Visit
'An unbelievable experience!'
That was the immediate impression of many of the UK tour professionals who attended a special group travel showcase event in Merseyside last weekend arranged by the Mersey Partnership.
A three day whirlwind visit took in attractions, destinations, venues and hotels across Liverpool, Knowsley, Halton and Runcorn, St Helens the Wirral and Sefton.
Based at the recently opened Ramada Encore Hotel Haydock and coordinated by Northumberland-based tourism specialists Steve Reed Tourism Ltd, the 52 influential buyers gave their verdict on their flying visit to Merseyside during a feedback session at Haydock Racecourse.
They enjoyed a 'Welcome to Merseyside' Dinner and quiz at the Everglades park Hotel in Widnes on their first night.
Included in their hectic yet enjoyable familiarisation trip were visits to the World of Glass at St Helens; Norton Priory; Daresbury Church; Knowsley Safari Park; Churchtown Botanic Gardens in Southport and a trip on the tram on Southport Pier. And there was lunch on the Sunday at The 'Dining Rooms on West Street' in Southport.
Anthony Gormley's 'Another Place's art works on Crosby Beach in Sefton were on the buyers' timetable - please see attached picture of the group there with the beach and some of 'the Gormleys' in the background
The group called in at Lady Lever Gallery in Port Sunlight; Ness Gardens, also in the Wirral and attractions in Liverpool including the Beatles Story and the Mersey Ferry.
Lunch at the Atlantic Tower Hotel was another highlight for the VIP visitors.
Liverpool Cathedral [Anglican] was the superb venue for a 
'Meet the tourism industry workshop' event where some of the region's tourism players could meet the buyers face to face and discuss real business.
Sue Scarborough of North Yorkshire tour operators Eddie Brown Travel was one of the attendees. She had this to say:
'For our company and for the many of the group, the event was truly an unbelievable experience. Merseyside is really getting its act together for visitors.
'There seemed to be so much for people planning tours that they are spoilt for choice. We very much enjoyed our visit and will certainly be back with tour parties, not least to the Tall Ships Race in July!, says Sue
Steve Reed of Steve Reed tourism said:
'This was our third major event in Merseyside and it just keeps getting better and better all the time. We've brought over 150 wide-eyed tour buyers into the region over the last 4 years and many of them will have already brought coach parties and groups of visitors back to the area, using local hotels and visiting the many attractions too,' explains Steve
'The new Liverpool ONE development will also put the icing on the cake for new generations of group visitors - so we will watch progress there with great interest.
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