Cumbria Tourism has been nominated as ‘Destination Management Organisation of the Year’ in the UKinbound Awards for Excellence.
The much sought-after awards recognise businesses and individuals that have made a significant contribution to attracting international visitors and engaging with the overseas travel trade.
‘DMO of the Year’ is one of the most prestigious categories, with the shortlist whittled down by a panel of industry leaders and the final winners set to be announced at a special ceremony in Aberdeen on Thursday 29 September.
As the county’s official Destination Management Organisation – or DMO – the Cumbria Tourism team represents both the wider destination and its member businesses and partners on the world stage using the ‘Visit Lake District’ brand.
Cumbria Tourism has continued to forge international relationships and product development, despite the challenges of the last two years – working tirelessly to maintain relationships with inbound operators, supporting traditional travel trade ready products and offering business support to operators taking their first steps into working in international markets.
Over the past year alone the organisation has forged direct one-to-one relationships at a wide variety of events including Britain & Ireland Marketplace, MeetGB, ExploreGB, North American Marketplace, Japan on-line Travelmart, UKinbound Convention, Lake District Travel Trade Showcase and the British Tourism and Travel Show.
This international promotion is ongoing and just this week Cumbria Tourism will be joining more than a dozen of the county’s top attractions and accommodation providers heading to the United States to promote the region in the first large-scale international trade mission since the global pandemic.
Cumbria Tourism’s Managing Director, Gill Haigh, says, “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised at such a prestigious awards ceremony, it’s such an honour just to be shortlisted as DMO of the Year. The whole team are thrilled with the news!
“The work we’re doing internationally is crucial to cementing the county’s reputation as a world-class visitor experience. Before the pandemic, 14% of visitors to Cumbria were from overseas. This is something we’re looking to develop and grow in years to come.”
Cumbria is well-represented at this year’s awards, as Lake District Country Hotels have been shortlisted in the ‘Accommodation Provider of The Year’ category and Mountain Goat have also been nominated as ‘Sightseeing Operator of The Year’.
Meanwhile Joe Cobb from Lake District Country Hotels has been nominated for the ‘Members Choice Award’.
The winners of UKinbound Awards for Excellence will be announced on Thursday 29 September. See the full shortlist here.