Liverpool was European Capital of Culture 2008, a massive 12-month celebration of the best in the arts, sport, music, heritage and culture.

With over 300 events including World and European premieres, Capital of Culture has generated unprecedented visitor numbers for Merseyside, has put the Northwest on the international map and has helped to break down old stereotypes.  Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008 won the prestigious Visitor Impact Award at England’s Northwest Tourism Awards 2008 recognising the huge effect that Liverpool 08 has had on the region’s visitor economy.

The Agency worked with the four other sub - regions and developed complementary themes and supporting activity for Capital of Culture, including Manchester Year of World Sport, Cumbria Year of Adventure, Cheshire Year of Gardens and Lancashire Year of Food which collectively attracted an additional 500,000 visitors.

There were 9.7 million additional visits to Liverpool in 2008, with an economic impact of over £800 million (additional direct visitor spend across Liverpool, Merseyside and wider Northwest region.)

There was 27.5 million total visits to Liverpool during the European Capital of Culture year, a 34% rise on the previous year, with 2.6 million of these European and global visits, 97% of which were first time visits to the city. For more information on the impacts of ECOC please visit http://www.liv.ac.uk/impacts08/