Leading Liverpool tourist attraction RLB360 says it has been hit particularly hard in the pandemic due to a huge drop in the number of overseas tourists. Tony McDonough reports
A huge drop in the number of overseas visitors to Liverpool due to the pandemic has hit one of Liverpool’s most popular tourist attractions.
RLB360 offers tours of the city’s world famous Royal Liver Building. It includes a digital projector experience inside the historic clock tower and stunning views of the entire Liverpool city region from the 15th floor.
It opened in 2019 and since has welcomed more than 20,000 visitors. However, a significant number of its customers are tourist from overseas or elsewhere in the UK. RLB360 was forced to close for long periods during the lockdown periods but, even when it was allowed to open, it suffered a significant drop in footfall.
Heritage Great Britain, which runs the attraction added that as well as the loss of international tourists, RLB360 had also lost custom as a result of people in the UK flocking to beachside towns and escaping to the countryside rather than taking trips to bigger cities.
It is now hopeful that with restrictions on travel from the US and European Union having been eased, the city could start to see some bounce back for businesses to thrive once again.
Operations manager at RLB360, Chris Devaney, said: “It has been amazing to reopen since restrictions have been lifted and welcome visitors back but it has been a slower burn for cities to start returning to normal in regards to tourism and visitor numbers.
“It is because there is a critical tourism gap coming into the city this year with the lack of cruise ships, international tourists visiting and domestic trips being taken to the countryside and beaches.
“We’ve launched a special offer for families, starting on August 1, to hopefully bring a few more people into the city who want to explore the stunning waterfront and get up close to our famous Liver Birds on top of the Royal Liver Building.
“Our hope in tempting people to visit the attraction is that they will stay and continue to explore the city, supporting every business here that’s bouncing back after COVID-19.”