Hammersmith and Fulham nominated at Londons tourism Oscars

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 2005

Hammersmith & Fulham council will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of the London Eye, Tate Modern and Madame Tussauds later this month after being nominated at the Oscars of London tourism.

The council's visitor development team will attend a prestigious ceremony at Old Billingsgate Market, sponsored by Eurostar, the Evening Standard and ITV, after being recognised by Visit London in the 'Best Borough' category at their annual awards.

The nomination is the result of the visitor development team' recent Discover What's on Your Doorstep campaign, which sought to raise awareness of local attractions amongst people living in the borough. Residents were offered free walking tours around Hammersmith, Fulham and Shepherds Bush, free local maps and guides, and discounted tickets for attractions like the BBC Television Centre tour. The aim was to highlight the borough's historic sights, museums, theatres, musical venues and eclectic shops and restaurants, and to stress the value for money to be had from spending free time in the local area, thanks to free attractions like the Thames Path and Shepherds Bush market, residents' scounts at venues like the Lyric Hammersmith and the reduced cost of transport to and from home.

Catherine Knight, visitor development officer, says: "We're delighted to have received this nomination, which reflects the importance of encouraging Londoners to experience and appreciate everything the city has to offer. We firmly believe that Hammersmith & Fulham is a great destination that warrants its reputation as the 'West West End' thanks to its award-winning restaurants and riverside pubs and fantastic venues such as the Lyric Hammersmith, Shepherds Bush Empire, Hammersmith Palais, Carling Apollo Hammersmith and Riverside Studios. But the borough also has a fascinating cultural mix, with Middle Eastern food shops and restaurants in Shepherds Bush and historic sights like Fulham Palace, Hammersmith Bridge and the Bhavan Centre in the south of the borough. The fact that Hammersmith's Novotel London West hotel and the BBC's Television Centre Tours have also received Visit London award nominations just shows the area’s strength in depth."

Ann Jones, who has worked as a Blue Badge Guide in Hammersmith since 1997, and leads the free Shepherds Bush walking tour, says: "I think Hammersmith & Fulham is doing a wonderful job of promoting the borough and making people aware of the things going on here. When I take groups on the Middle Eastern food tour of Shepherds Bush, they are always astonished and delighted to go into shops and restaurants and find something totally new or unique. Even people who live locally discover places that they had no idea about, or had never thought to go to - and immediately start planning their next visit."

Cllr Dame Sally Powell, Hammersmith & Fulham's cabinet member for regeneration and chair of regeneration agency Regenasis, which supports the visitor development team, says: "My congratulations to the visitor development team for securing this award nomination, and for continuing to promote Hammersmith & Fulham as a visitor destination. As a borough located close to Heathrow airport and close to the centre of town, with good transport links and a great range of attractions and facilities, we are very aware of the importance of attracting visitors for both business and leisure. Tourism in Hammersmith & Fulham now sustains over 7000 local jobs, so it makes sense to encourage residents to spend their free time in the local area, take advantage of what's available and help support the local economy."

Residents wishing to learn more about the borough's attractions and what to do in Hammersmith & Fulham should see the websites www.visithammersmith.co.uk, www.visitfulham.co.uk and www.visitshepherdsbush.co.uk
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Notes to the Editor
1. Visit London is the official tourist organisation for London. The awards ceremony on November 29 will be attended by 700 guests, and entertainment will be provided by Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Awards will be given in the following categories: Bed and Breakfast; Best for Business; Large Hotel; Small Hotel; Large Visitor Attraction; Small Visitor Attraction; Outstanding Customer Service; Best Website; Tour London; Best Borough; Cultural Event; Entertainment; Marketing Campaign.
2. The nominees in the Best Borough category at the Visit London awards are: Cross River Partnership; London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham; Kingston Business Improvement District; London Borough of Barnet and artsdepot; Southwark Tourist Information Group.
3. The council's Visitor Development team is funded by the LDA through Regenasis, the borough regeneration agency, and aims to deliver the Mayor of London's tourism strategy - spreading the economic benefit of London tourism to all. In March this year, the team spent a week at the Britain & London Visitor Centre encouraging national and international tourists to 'go West' and experience the real London. 
4. The team's Discover What's on your Doorstep campaign was launched in May. Three regular walking tours have been established, led by Blue Badge Guides: Unravelling Hammersmith Riverside, Fulham Past & Present, and Middle Eastern Food & Culture in Shepherds Bush. One-off walks have also been organised to celebrate Black History Month and the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Over 100 people have so far attended the walks.
5. The total value/expenditure of tourism to Hammersmith & Fulham in 2003 was 607.85 million. The total visitor numbers to the borough were 5,106,000 (source: STEAM). Hammersmith & Fulham generates the third largest visitor revenue in London after Westminster and Camden. Total tourism spending in London is approximately £15bn per annum. Tourism is a growth industry representing 10% of London's GDP.