Merseytravel signs up as Expo sponsor

Transport authority Merseytravel is to be a Main Sponsor of the Liverpool Pavilion at the World Expo.

The passenger transport body, which also has interests in tourism and operates the city's famous Mersey Ferries, has signed the deal to secure a presence at the event.

The Liverpool Pavilion will shine a spotlight on the city's assets and strengths for millions of visitors attending one of the world's biggest events.

About 20 million tickets for the Expo have already been sold, some 40 days before it even opens.

Liverpool is the only UK city to have a dedicated pavilion at the World Expo. Its participation is being led by Liverpool Vision in partnership with the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool-Shanghai Partnership.

The World Expo runs between May 1 and October 31 and will attract around 70 million visitors. It is regarded as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to consolidate existing and forge new relationships in the world's emerging markets and is predicted to deliver up to £50m in economic benefits to Liverpool and the North West over the next decade.

The Liverpool Pavilion's main sponsor is Peel Holdings, which has interests in ports, airports, renewable energy, media and property development across the North West. The NWDA has committed £1.25m to support Liverpool's presence, whilst Liverpool City Council has committed £300,000.

Merseytravel Chief Executive Neil Scales said: "Merseytravel is a major player in our region's tourism industry and contributes more than £34 million a year to the region's economy through the Mersey Ferries and its associated attractions.

"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. The Expo offers us the opportunity to reach a huge potential market from China and around the world".

Liverpool Vision's director of investment and enterprise, Mike Taylor, said he was delighted that Merseytravel had come on board, adding: "Merseytravel's tourism products, including the ferries and the Beatles Story, play a critical role in attracting tens of thousands of overseas visitors to the city every year.

"One of our strategic objectives at the Expo is to use the Pavilion to showcase our tourism offer to an international audience and Merseytravel's contribution will be invaluable in this regard."

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, added: "Merseytravel's involvement demonstrates the breadth and depth of the support which the Expo project is receiving from across the Liverpool city region and wider North West."

Liverpool Council leader Warren Bradley said: "It's great news to see such a significant regional player coming on board as a main sponsor, demonstrating their support for the project and making such a substantial contribution to its success."

Further information is available atwww.liverpoolshanghai2010.com