Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director of Liverpool City Region’s Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP)
It’s been a couple of months since my last update, and there have been plenty of highlights in that time.
From hosting VisitEngland representatives alongside our colleagues in Southport, to attending a dynamic LVEP session in Manchester, I’ve had the pleasure of engaging with trade professionals and global partners whose insights underscore a key truth: Liverpool City Region’s visitor economy thrives on collaboration and forward-thinking.
Alongside this, the latest LVEP webinar explains how Liverpool City Region is shaping high-value travel markets, seamlessly blending cultural heritage with experience-led journeys that meet modern expectations.
Further highlighting the far-reaching value of our sector, new research from VisitEngland shows that tourism plays a vital role in fostering community pride, wellbeing, and social cohesion, revealing that people living in destinations like ours feel more connected, healthier, and prouder of their local area than anywhere else.
Looking ahead, even greater opportunities await. Our city region summer campaign, in partnership with Avanti West Coast, will soon be live, targeting national visitors to unite partners and promote the season ahead.
We’re also working with our Growth Platform colleagues in relation to the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards to strengthen our presence within this prestigious event. Our latest Visitor Guide will launch this week, with an innovative new format designed to spotlight the distinctive experiences that make Liverpool City Region unforgettable.
The city of Liverpool came alive last month with three flagship events – BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Liverpool FC’s Premier League Victory Parade and Cunard’s 185th Anniversary Celebrations – bringing together music, sport and maritime heritage for one huge celebration.
As we all know, the weekend didn’t end quite as planned, with the well-publicised incident on Water Street. We are extremely grateful that no one was more seriously injured, and our thoughts remain with all those affected.
While this understandably cast a shadow, it followed what had truly been a remarkable weekend, one that brought the city to life and stood out as a highlight of our 2025 events calendar. It was a powerful reminder of Liverpool City Region’s spirit, and just one chapter in our ongoing story of growth and reinvention.
Regarding business tourism, I’m delighted to share that Liverpool has surged 61 places in the global meeting rankings, from 173rd to 112th and has secured an historic fourth place in the UK. More than a statistic, this milestone reaffirms Liverpool’s rising prominence as a world-class business events destination.
The Liverpool Convention Bureau team has continued to profile Liverpool City Region on the international stage, attended IMEX Frankfurt in May alongside VisitEngland, and are now preparing for The Meetings Show in June, where they’ll meet with national decision-makers.
With every success, from electrifying public celebrations to prestigious rankings, we strengthen Liverpool City Region’s reputation as a destination where business, culture, and community converge to create lasting impact. These achievements are testament to the dedication and vision of the individuals and organisations driving our progress.
Thank you for your continued support and collaboration. It’s an honour to work alongside partners who dream big and deliver boldly, ensuring Liverpool City Region stands out on the global stage, while remaining true to the vibrant, creative and collaborative spirit that defines us. Let’s build on this momentum and continue working together to shape our city region’s future.
Yours sincerely,
Natalie Wyatt
Managing Director
Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership