McCartney honored for helping tourism

LONDON, April 19 (UPI) -- Paul McCartney has been honored with the British tourism industry's equivalent of the Oscar for helping boost the profile of his hometown of Liverpool, England.

McCartney shared his Gold Award -- one of 16 handed out in London Wednesday -- with his home city, the Liverpool Daily Post reported Thursday.

The former Beatle wasn't on hand to accept it in person but Bill Heckle, chairman of Cavern City Tours, read a statement from McCartney in which he said he was honored, "particularly because of the Liverpool connection."

"It's great to think that in some small way I've done something to help tourism for the place of my birth, which I'm so proud of," McCarthy said in his acceptance message.

Hugh Taylor, chairman of the England Marketing Advisory Board, said Liverpool has been transformed and visitor numbers have more than double in five years.

"For many visitors, the emotional draw is that it is the home of The Beatles, and while Sir Paul modestly describes himself as 'just this kid from Liverpool,' his influence on the success of Liverpool's tourism cannot be understated," Taylor said.

The Enjoy England Awards for Excellence are organized by VisitBritain.