Cumbria Tourism is working in partnership with Barrow & Furness MP John Woodcock to hold a special summit this month where tourism businesses across Furness will be urged to work closer together to showcase the opportunities on offer for visitors all year-round.
The event on April 26 will welcome tourism industry officials from across Barrow and the Furness peninsula, as well as key figures who have played pivotal roles in the success of tourism elsewhere in Cumbria.
Speakers at the event in Ulverston, include John Woodcock MP, Cumbria Tourism’s Managing Director Gill Haigh, Carl Bevan of Associated British Ports, Susannah Bleakley from the Morecambe Bay Partnership and Maddi Nicholson from Art Gene. They will also sit on a panel for open-floor discussions and a Q&A segment. ‘Break-out’ sessions will also be held in smaller groups, each led by a panel member.
Mr Woodcock says, “Furness is bursting with attractions and places of real interest and beauty, but the peninsula can easily fall below the radar, even for those people who are looking for a different way to experience our wonderful county. In recent years we have seen strong tourism growth in other areas outside the Lake District, with Carlisle performing particularly well for example. I believe Furness is more than capable of mirroring that improvement and a louder voice should help the area to achieve that.”
Gill Haigh, Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, says, “Our most recent analysis confirms 3.1 million people visited Furness in 2017 and while that is an increase on visitor numbers from the year before, it is the smallest rise of all the Cumbrian districts. I strongly believe that increase isn’t representative of what Furness has to offer and is capable of achieving.
“The gateway to Furness is only 15 minutes away from the Lake District and there is plenty to enjoy during a visit lasting several days or longer. Places like Furness Abbey, Piel Island, the Dock Museum, South Lakes Safari Zoo, Walney Island, Sandscale Haws nature reserve and stunning coastal walks all contribute to great getaway experiences. I had a similar message at a tourism summit for Copeland in February this year and once again, I’m very much looking forward to joining John Woodcock MP and our other key speakers at this one.”
The Furness Tourism Summit will be held on Friday 26th April between 10am and 1pm in the Williams Room at Ford Park at Ulverston. Places must be reserved by Thursday 18 April by emailing your interest to [email protected].
