When investors consider Liverpool, attention often falls on property prices, regeneration projects, and the success of its two Premier League clubs. Yet tourism is equally important, underpinning rental demand and capital growth while giving Liverpool a competitive edge in the North West.
When investors consider Liverpool, attention often falls on property prices, regeneration projects, and the success of its two Premier League clubs. Yet tourism is equally important, underpinning rental demand and capital growth while giving Liverpool a competitive edge in the North West.
The city attracts around 70 million visitors each year, contributing more than £3.5 billion to the local economy and supporting over 55,000 jobs. This visitor economy is not just a measure of cultural success, it directly impacts property performance. A steady flow of tourists creates reliable demand for accommodation, whether through hotels, student housing, short-term lets, or city centre apartments.
Liverpool is one of the UK’s best-performing short-term let markets. Airbnb occupancy averages between 70 and 75 percent, and during football and music events daily rates often outpace Manchester. Gross yields in central postcodes can exceed 10 to 12 percent, while long-term city centre rentals typically achieve 6 to 7 percent compared with Manchester’s 5 to 6 percent. Event-driven spikes from football fixtures, concerts, and festivals further boost returns for landlords using flexible rental models.
Tourism’s influence is rooted in the city’s attractions. Liverpool FC’s global following and Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, which will host Euro 2028 matches, ensure football continues to drive international visitor numbers. Cultural institutions such as The Beatles Story, Tate Liverpool, and the waterfront museums attract year-round interest, while Liverpool ONE draws over 22 million shoppers annually. The ACC Liverpool conference centre and the expanding cruise terminal add both business and international tourism to the mix.
At the postcode level, tourism demand translates clearly into yields. L1, covering Liverpool ONE and Ropewalks, typically delivers 7 to 8 percent returns, with higher figures in serviced accommodation. L3, including the waterfront and Knowledge Quarter, averages 6 to 7 percent and is popular with students and young professionals. The Baltic Triangle, a regeneration area tied to creative industries, offers yields of 7 to 9 percent, while neighbourhoods around Anfield and Goodison Park often achieve above 8 percent, with further uplift expected from stadium-led regeneration.
Compared with Manchester, Liverpool presents investors with higher yields and a stronger tourism-led economy. Liverpool’s £3.5 to £4 billion visitor market outpaces Manchester’s £2.5 to £3 billion, and the gap in visitor numbers is even wider, at 70 million against 40 million annually. While Manchester remains attractive for corporate relocation and finance, Liverpool combines lower entry prices with a resilient rental market supported by tourism and regeneration.
Everton’s stadium, Euro 2028, the Littlewoods Film Studios, and cruise terminal expansion are all set to reinforce Liverpool’s international profile. Tourism is not an added bonus but a foundation of the city’s investment case. If you’re an investor, Liverpool’s mix of affordability, regeneration, and consistent visitor demand makes it one of the strongest cases in the North West.
