Key Successes
Now it in its fourth year of operation, the Manchester Accommodation BID has had a major impact on the growth and success Manchester's visitor economy through work focused on four key strands: marketing and campaigns; conference and business events; consumer events; and city welcome.
The below chronological timeline outlines a selection of the Accommodation BID's key highlights and milestones.
What we do
Key Successes
Country to Country Secured
Manchester secured Country to Country, Europe’s largest country music festival, for March 2027, with Accommodation BID support helping attract a high‑spending international audience and strong city‑wide accommodation demand.
National Spotlight
The Accommodation BID featured on BBC’s The One Show, highlighting how the City Visitor Charge supports major events, including the BRIT Awards, and clearly differentiating the BID model from proposed government visitor levies.
CHS Secured
With fund-support from the Accommodation BID, leading meetings and event industry show, CHS, announced that it would combine its existing Birmingham and Leeds events to create on super show in its new home in Manchester from September 2026 onwards.
MOBO Awards Secured
Manchester was announced as host city for the MOBO Awards 2026, with Accommodation BID funding supporting the successful bid and reinforcing Manchester’s reputation as a leading destination for major cultural events.
NBA Secured
Manchester was confirmed as host city for the NBA in January 2027, with Accommodation BID support highlighted as vital in securing this globally significant sporting event and driving high‑value overnight stays.
BRIT Awards Secured
The Accommodation BID played a pivotal role in securing The BRIT Awards for 2026 and 2027, marking the first time the event has left London and delivering significant benefits during traditionally quieter periods.
Data-led Levy Benefits
The Accommodation BID introduced enhanced levy payer support, including media visit funding, a live data dashboard and exclusive cultural experiences, alongside strong survey completion rates shaping future marketing priorities.
SUPER DUPER Launch
The inaugural Super Duper Family Festival, delivered with Accommodation BID partners, increased city‑centre footfall during February half‑term, showcasing Manchester’s ability to deliver engaging, large‑scale events for families and leisure visitors.
Survey and Screen Tourism
Incentives boosted Leisure Visitor Survey participation, while the Accommodation BID supported the launch of the Manchester Film & TV Map, promoting screen tourism and reinforcing Manchester’s appeal as a filming and visitor destination.
Winter Campaign
Building on summer success, the Accommodation BID delivered a winter leisure campaign targeting the UK, Ireland, Spain and Germany to stimulate overnight stays during traditionally quieter months
SCENE Festival Launch
The Accommodation BID launched SCENE, a new annual LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival extending Pride celebrations, strengthening Manchester’s inclusive offer and attracting new leisure visitors during the summer period.
Public Safety Kits Distributed
Accommodation BID funding enabled the rollout of emergency trauma kits to 77 city‑centre hotels, equipping hospitality colleagues across Manchester with vital life‑saving equipment and strengthening the city’s preparedness and resilience.
Green Party Conference Secured
Strategic use of Accommodation BID funds helped to secure The Green Party Autumn Conference, taking place in September 2024.
Summer Campaign
A targeted summer campaigns reached experience‑seeking visitors and LGBTQ+ audiences, supported by international media visits and influencer activity that amplified Manchester’s cultural, music and Pride‑related offer across key overseas markets.
Major Events Secured
Manchester secured several high‑profile sporting and academic events, including UFC at Co‑op Live, UK Athletics Championships, UKSpace, and NI2024, demonstrating the impact of Accommodation BID support through consumer events and business tourism workstreams.
Visitor Insight Launch
The Accommodation BID launched a year‑long leisure visitor survey across accommodation providers, gathering insight into visitor motivations and behaviour to inform future marketing activity and strengthen overnight stay growth.
MTV EMAS Secured
MTV chose Manchester as host city for the prestigious MTV EMAs, which took place in November 2024. Accommodation BID support was a key component in securing this major event, which set a precedent for hosting future major music events like the BRIT and MOBO Awards.
Booking.com Change Agreed
Following engagement led by the Accommodation BID, Booking.com removed commission charges on the City Visitor Charge, reducing costs for levy‑paying accommodation businesses.
Mbassador Programme Relaunched
The Accommodation BID supported the relaunch of Manchester Convention Bureau's Mbassador Programme which enables academics and people of influence to use their profile and connections to help bid for and win international conferences and events for the city.
Media Visits Begin
The Accommodation BID hosted international media, including Spanish travel writers, showcasing Manchester’s hotels, culture and attractions and generating global coverage to support international leisure demand for overnight stays.
WOMEX Secured
Manchester was confirmed as host of WOMEX 2024, the world’s largest global music conference, supported by Accommodation BID activity and reinforcing the city’s position as a leading international music destination.
First Marketing Campaign
The Accommodation BID launched its first dedicated summer marketing campaign, targeting domestic and Irish markets through partnerships with Expedia and Sojern to boost awareness of Manchester and drive overnight stays.
City Welcome Launch
The Manchester Accommodation BID introduced street cleaning teams and expanded City Hosts around hotels and key gateways, improving cleanliness, wayfinding and first impressions for visitors staying in the city centre.
Accommodation BID Launch
Following a successful hotelier ballot, the Manchester Accommodation BID officially launched, introducing a business led visitor charge model designed to reinvest directly into growing overnight stays and strengthening the city’s visitor economy.
BCRP Membership Offered
Prior to the launch of the Manchester Accommodation BID, membership of the Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) was a subscription-based service. From the outset of the Accommodation BID, BCRP membership has been included for all levy payers, ensuring consistent access to vital safety, security and training opportunities for hospitality staff across the city.
