Tens of thousands of people are expected to visit Liverpool this May as the city is the host of the Eurovision Song Contest. Liverpool Business Daily reports that to help visitors get the most of their time attending the event, a new VisitLiverpoolApp has been launched.
The app will include important information about facilities and services, and will also contain suggestions for things to do in and around the city in May. Liverpool was chosen to host the Eurovision Song contest this year because last years’ winners Ukraine are not in a position to do so.
The UK’s 2022 entry, Space Man by Sam Ryder, came second and so the 2023 event will be held on 13 May at the M&S Bank Arena. It is the first time that the UK have hosted the contest since 1998 in Birmingham, following Katrina and the Waves win with Love Shine a Light in 1997.
Two local groups, Marketing Liverpool and Liverpool ONE, have collaborated to produce the VisitLiverpoolApp, which provides support for visitors from 1-15 May.
Donna Howitt, place strategy director at Liverpool ONE, said: “There’s an amazing buzz ahead of Eurovision and you can’t help but get involved in the excitement.”
“Having realised the benefits of the Liverpool ONE app in giving our visitors easy access to news and information, it has been the perfect opportunity to work with the city to ensure visitors to the city over Eurovision have the same opportunity.”
Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, which represents more than 1,000 businesses in the city centre, added: “At Liverpool BID Company we have put our support behind the Eurovision bid.”
“We know that major cultural events have a positive impact on the wider city centre economy. One of the key elements to that is to ensure everyone knows what is happening.”
Liverpool is determined to put on a great show for the worldwide audience. There is already a Eurovision Village in place at Pier Head, where cultural events and performances will begin on 5 May. The event is expected to generate millions of pounds for the local economy as well as draw in new investors.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “The chance to host a global spectacle such as the Eurovision Song Contest is an opportunity that doesn’t come around very often – especially for a city in the UK. That’s why so many cities bid for the accolade.”
“As an international event that attracts guests, media and attention from around the world, we’re expecting thousands upon thousands of visitors to descend on the Liverpool city region for a week-long celebration of music, dance, fun and frivolity.
“The £2m that the Combined Authority is contributing towards the staging of Eurovision is just a fraction of the economic return we expect to see from the event.
“It is predicted to inject £25m into the city region economy in May alone. But the intangible contribution of broadcasting our brand to an international audience could be invaluable.”
Four academic studies have been commissioned to measure the social, cultural and economic impact of Eurovision on Liverpool.
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