PORTFOLIO

Portfolio

Portfolio

Liverpool is an international city. Its citizens came out of Africa, Ireland and the Far East, sometimes in triumph, at others in adversity. It is from this crucible of worldwide influences, this community of nations, that the vibrant spirit of the city is born.

It is an historical city, yet is looking ever forward to the future. Its breathtaking skyline embodies Liverpool's maritime past as the British Empire's gateway to the world. The magnificent architecture of The Three Graces; The Cunard, Liver and the Port of Liverpool Buildings, encapsulate a bygone era when the great shipping lines dominated the waterfront. Yet, a new Grace is to be set to bring it into the 21st century.

It is out of this prosperous past that the renaissance of Liverpool is flowering.

The Albert Dock - the largest collection of Grade One Listed Buildings in the country - is the most popular attraction in Liverpool. Home of Tate Liverpool, the Maritime Museum and the Beatles Story, the site forms part of Liverpool's bid to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A recent study on behalf of Liverpool City Council, Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, Liverpool Vision, and Mersey Ferries, has led to plans for a £10.5 million cruise liner terminal to be completed by 2005.

The city is renowned not only for its architecture - Liverpool was recently acknowledged by the Guinness Book of Hit Singles as "World Capital of Pop". As the birthplace of the Beatles, the city offers guided tours of places of interest on the Magical Mystery Tour. And the world-famous Matthew Street, home of the Cavern Club, is a mecca to fans around the world.

The city is alive with musicians, poets, writers, artists, painters, sculptors, designers and architects - further enhancing Liverpool's image as a European city of culture. Liverpool is also a serious sporting city. Liverpool and Everton football clubs are renowned the world over. The city is also home to the world's most famous horse race; the Grand National, at Aintree.

Analysis

Strengths

Fun, friendly and dynamic, Liverpool is located in England's North West and has enjoyed staggering economic regeneration over the past decade. Building on the strength of the city's maritime history and warmth and vitality of its people, the 'pool of life' is a now a festival city with a thriving arts and cultural scene.

The Liverpool tourism industry has been mindful of the need for sustainability since the early 2000 when Government's Liverpool tourism industry and Environment Taskforce developed a series of seven principles for balanced Liverpool tourism industry development. These principles stated that “in any location, harmony must be sought between the needs of the visitor, the place and the host community”.

Weaknesses

The Liverpool tourism industry has a lot of weaknesses also, esp. in Liverpool. The buying binge that has been occurring recently in the lodging industry has left large concentrations of hotel assets in the hands of relatively few major portfolio investors.

Opportunities

Liverpool's status as European Capital of Culture will aid in the ongoing regeneration process of the city's infrastructure and build ...