Cumbria Tourism has written to all of the county’s MPs this week, asking them to record video messages of support for the annual industry awareness event, English Tourism Week.
The national campaign, led by VisitEngland, takes place from Monday 25 May through to Sunday 31 May, with the tourism industry’s COVID-19 recovery efforts forming the basis of this year’s key messages.
As the pandemic means the majority of tourism businesses remain closed to the public at this time, the event is going virtual for 2020, with messages of support being sought as a boost for local businesses and a reminder to future visitors about the wide range of destinations which await them when the re-opening process for businesses begins.
Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, says, “Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world, the tourism sector in Cumbria contributed more than £3billion to the local economy and supporting almost 65,000 local jobs.
“English Tourism Week is designed to highlight tourism as a critical sector for not only Cumbria, but the entire country’s tourism economy. It is not only good for business, but pivotal in helping residents enjoy their way of life here too. It is so important for the government to be constantly reminded of this, which is why we have invited all of our local MPs to record some important messages of support for this world-class destination.
“We are very fortunate to have MPs with such passion and understanding of how crucial tourism is here in Cumbria, and how it is paramount to pull out all the stops to ensure it is safeguarded to enable our guests, employees and residents to continue to enjoy The Lake District, Cumbria, as a great place to live, work and visit.”
The county’s official destination management organisation is also using English Tourism Week as an opportunity to help local businesses by highlighting the part that can be played by the public, both locally and from afar.
Gill Haigh continues, “For our visitors whose trips were delayed by the Covid-19 restrictions, be sure to re-book your visit as soon as you can. Your accommodation provider will be able to help arrange new dates when the lockdown measures are lifted, so please do contact them to discuss any concerns you may have. We would like to thank those visitors who are supporting our accommodation providers by postponing, rather than cancelling. The Lake District, Cumbria, is not going to disappear – So, we are really looking forward to welcoming our visitors back soon.
“Meanwhile, despite our many brilliant businesses remaining closed to the public at this time, they are still working very hard behind the scenes to help bring a little piece of The Lake District, Cumbria to our visitors, no matter where they are. Many have great offers on our visitor website, www.visitlakedistrict.com, including Shed 1 Distillery, Grasmere Gingerbread, The World of Beatrix Potter, Lakes Distillery, and Hawkshead Relish, just to name a few!
“We’re also really excited to offer people more than 75 different incentives to return to The Lake District, Cumbria for a well-deserved break later this year, thanks to a wide range of gift vouchers which can be redeemed at participating businesses when the time is right. What better way of treating yourself of a loved-one, especially during English Tourism Week!”
Details of all special offers, vouchers and five special prize draws are online at Cumbria’s official visitor website, www.visitlakedistrict.com.
