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Mersey Ferries multi million pound tourism business: 16 February 2010; Merseytravel contributes more than £34 million a year to the region’s tourism economy through the Mersey Ferries and its associated attractions.

It also supports the equivalent of 742 full-time jobs.

These are the major findings in research undertaken by England’s Northwest Research Service for economic development and tourism.

The Ferries, together with The Beatles Story, Spaceport and the U-Boat Story attracted 343,000 tourists last year with 16 per cent visiting from overseas.

Neil Scales, chief executive of Merseytravel, said:”This is a fantastic success story.

“Ten years ago we decided to reposition the Mersey Ferries into the tourism market when it was evident that their future as a mere cross-river commuter service was bleak.

“We have invested more than £50 million in this policy and it is now paying handsome dividends for the region.

“The Mersey Ferries are the most popular paid-for attraction in the region and with our additional attractions their popularity is increasing.

“We now have the fabulous new Pier Head terminal building, which includes the Beatles exhibition, and a refurbished cafe alongside U-534 at the Woodside Ferry Terminal to attract even more visitors.”

The report concludes that the Mersey Ferries attractions have the potential to grow by more than 25 per cent over the next decade bringing in an additional 300,000 visitors.; Back to Media Centre