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 john.woodcock.mp@parliament.uk.

We are on the look-out for three new Non-Executive Directors to help drive forward the county’s £2.9 billion tourism industry.

Applications are now open for a total of three vacancies. Each new appointee will need to demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for improving all aspects of Cumbria’s visitor economy, along with a specialist knowledge and expertise in one of the following three categories:

• Small tourism business operation
• Professional services or supply chain for the tourism industry
• Public relations and communications

There will also be a clear focus on the private sector, to best reflect Cumbria Tourism’s commercial aims and ambitions.

Vice Chairman of Cumbria Tourism, Jim Walker, says, “Cumbria Tourism has changed hugely in recent years, to become the entrepreneurial and financially independent organisation it is today. To reflect this, our Board have put in place a rolling programme of Non-Executive Director appointments to keep the organisation agile and innovative in a fast-changing world. We are now looking for applications from experienced and commercially minded professionals who can guide and support both Cumbria Tourism and the wider industry.”

Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, adds, “Cumbria Tourism is in a very strong position, both financially and in terms of its diverse membership base. We are continuing to build momentum in a number of areas, not least through our high-impact marketing and PR campaigns, robust research and high-level lobbying work. We are a respected voice for Cumbria and its tourism industry and we need like-minded individuals to join us as we champion the county as a leading visitor destination.”

Each newly appointed Non-Executive Director will hold office for a term of three years; they will then retire and be eligible for re-election for a maximum of 3 terms.

Full details of each vacancy and the application process are available HERE.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 6 June 2019 and the new Board members are expected to take up their roles ahead of Cumbria Tourism’s Annual General Meeting in June.

Businesses from across Cumbria’s £2.9billion tourism sector are being asked to put forward their questions for a ‘Question Time’ style Brexit debate taking place at next week’s Lakes Hospitality Trade Show.

The topical Brexit-theme panel will be one of the highlights of the event at the Junction 36 Rural Auction Centre on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 March.

Just two weeks ahead of the planned departure date from the EU, it will be a chance for hospitality businesses to explore the specific effects of Brexit on the hospitality industry and discuss how business owners can take practical steps to maximise the positives and minimise the negatives.

The debate at 10.30am on Wednesday 13 March will be chaired by hotelier Jonathan Denby, who is Co-director of the Lakes Hospitality Trade Association. Joining him on the panel will be:

• Gill Haigh, Managing Director, Cumbria Tourism
• Martin McTague, Policy and Advocacy Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses
• Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale
• Andy Gould, Managing Director, South Lakes Insurance
• Jennie Riding, Owner of The Lodges at Artlegarth

 

The audience will also hear from Copeland MP Trudy Harrison and Penrith and the Border MP Rory Stewart via pre-recorded video.

 

Up to 100 spaces are available to pre-register to be part of the audience on the day.

Businesses that cannot be there can also put forward their burning questions by emailing Sam Tollerson at Cumbria Tourism by Monday 11 March:  STollerson@cumbriatourism.org

 

Co-director of the Lakes Hospitality Association, Jonathan Denby, says, “We are expecting this to be a lively and inspired debate. With all the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, it is an opportunity to look at some of the specific issues that matter to the hospitality industry, including free movement of people, migrant workers and future recruitment. This will be a great opportunity to hear from industry experts, as well as giving businesses a platform to air their views on the momentous days which lie ahead.”

Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh says, “Cumbria has a unique rural economy that is heavily reliant on tourism and Brexit is a significant cause of concern and uncertainty. This debate will be a great forum to air a range of issues including border controls for visitors, import tariffs, the potential for increased operating costs and for many, the recruitment and supply of EU workers. Crucially, we can then use evidence gathered at the event to help our continued lobbying at the highest levels of Government – to ensure that the voice of our tourism and hospitality businesses is heard loud and clear.”

With a record 140+ businesses exhibiting at the 44^th annual Lakes Hospitality Trade Show, a big turnout is expected across the two days. As well as the Brexit debate, well over 600 people have already signed up for a series of short workshops and seminars spanning everything from diversifying tourism businesses to tackling skills shortages and making the most of digital marketing.

Attendance at the show, along with all seminars and workshops, is free. Places can be pre-booked.

The first phase of a high-profile marketing campaign gets underway this week, aimed at supporting the tourism and hospitality businesses hardest hit by train disruption in recent months.

 

Following robust and sustained lobbying at government level, Cumbria Tourism worked with Cumbria County Council and Transport for the North to secure £285,000 for a marketing campaign funded by the rail industry. In its role as the county’s official Destination Management Organisation, it is now launching part one of this high-impact campaign in the countdown to the main 2019 holiday season.

 

The aim is to dispel perceptions that Cumbria is inaccessible by rail, as well as giving visitors practical ideas and inspiration to encourage them to book breaks away. It will support locations such as South Lakeland, Morecambe Bay and Cumbria’s West Coast, where businesses say they lost vital income during last summer’s train cancellations.

 

Outdoor advertising at key transport hubs in Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and London Euston will run alongside targeted online marketing on platforms including Facebook and Spotify. There will also be content in high-circulation newspaper titles such as the London Metro and Manchester Evening News, alongside a PR campaign targeting social media influencers.

 

The activity will coincide with the launch of a new 25% discount off* selected off-peak Northern rail services in Cumbria.

    

Cumbria Tourism’s Head of Marketing and Sales, Rachel Tyson, says, “It has been a challenging period for travellers and it’s important that we not only rebuild confidence in the rail services, but also positively inspire potential visitors about the range of possibilities on offer in the Lake District, Cumbria.

 

“As well as highlighting train services, we will be signposting visitors to onward travel options, so they understand that connections are available to bus services and car hire from train stations, as well as regular scheduled boat services on Windermere, Coniston and Ullswater.  We want to get people thinking differently about all forms of sustainable travel, including buses and boats, so they are inspired to make the journey part of the overall experience rather than just a way of getting from A to B.”

 

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport says,    “I am delighted that Cumbria Tourism has received this funding for a marketing campaign to promote our beautiful county. Last year’s rail disruption had a severe impact on Cumbrian commuters and businesses, and we’ve worked hard to lobby for this funding. I am confident that the revised timetables and measures introduced by Northern will result in a more reliable and effective service that meets the needs of Cumbria as a tourist, business and academic destination.”

A second wave of activity will launch later this year, to coincide with the main visitor season.

A Cumbrian outdoor instructor has been named as one of ten finalists in a competition to find VisitEngland’s 2019 Tourism Superstar… and now he needs your vote!

The annual award, supported by the Daily Mirror, recognises the passion and hard work of tourism industry workers who consistently go the extra mile to ensure their visitors have a truly unforgettable experience.

The 2019 finalists have just been revealed with Cumbria’s own Tim Green named as one of the final ten. Tim, who lives in Keswick and is a director of Windermere-based CBA Events, is the only nominee in the North West to make the exclusive shortlist.

The overall winner will be announced during English Tourism Week (30th March – 7^th April 2019) and will be invited to accept the coveted title at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

 

Tim, who joined CBA Events just three years ago, has been instrumental in spearheading a new phase for the company, persuading the owners of Windermere’s Graythwaite Estate to offer their grounds as a haven for highly personalised, tailored and unrushed outdoor pursuits. He certainly has a varied role, with his daily tasks ranging from instructing visitors on RIBs, canoes and stand-up paddleboards in the Lake District World Heritage Site, to arranging unique bespoke activity packages for a highly varied range of groups including corporate teambuilding sessions and stag and hen experiences.

Known for his motto “I’ll sort it” and his seemingly limitless patience and energy, even when de-rigging a set at 3am after an action-packed day, Tim’s hard work has caught the attention of the VisitEngland judges but it’s now up to a public vote to find the overall national winner.

Tim says “‘To be chosen to represent Cumbria as a Tourism Superstar is a real privilege; there are so many great people in our area providing fantastic visitor experiences that I was really delighted to be able to be an ambassador for the Lake District, Cumbria in this process. We pride ourselves on our personalised experiences, attention to detail and enthusiasm and to be recognised for this is fantastic.”

Gill Haigh, Cumbria Tourism Managing Director says “Tim has a true passion for his home county of Cumbria and actively sells the county as a wider visitor destination. As well as taking the time to get to know his customers personally and offer a high-quality visitor experience, he is always looking for ways to go the extra mile. Our work at Cumbria Tourism wouldn’t be nearly as successful without the work of committed individuals such as Tim – he definitely deserves the title of Tourism Superstar.”

The Daily Mirror is hosting an online public vote open until midnight on Tuesday 2^nd April 2019 and Cumbria Tourism is urging people to support Tim to help both him and the county to receive as much exposure as possible. Supporters can vote online at on the Mirror website as well as helping to spread the word on social media using the hashtag #VoteCumbriaTim.