As tourism operators await the Chancellor’s Autumn budget statement in November, Cumbria Tourism has launched its latest Business Performance Survey to help provide up-to-date evidence which strengthens its calls for the Government to more fully understand and support the visitor economy.
Carried out in collaboration with accountancy firm Lamont Pridmore, Cumbria Tourism’s in-depth, anonymous business tracker survey aims to provide first-hand, up-to-date evidence that it can use to strengthen the county’s case with national politicians and decision-makers.
The Autumn 2025 business tracker covers a wide range of topics – from the ongoing impact of government policy, rising costs and recruitment issues, to transport, staff housing and forward bookings for the upcoming winter season.
As the official voice of the county’s tourism and hospitality sector – and thanks to businesses’ direct feedback – the results will provide strong evidence enabling Cumbria Tourism to lobby our Cumbrian MPs and national decision-makers like the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on the issues raised.
Gill Haigh, Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, comments: “This vital research will enable us to dig down deeper into the experiences of individual operators and provide Cumbria Tourism and key decision-makers with concrete evidence about the expectations and issues businesses are facing on the ground.
“From hikes in National Insurance and wages, to continuing restrictions on consumer spending, and a summer of sunshine, we want to know how business has been and what’s on operators’ minds looking ahead. This really is an opportunity to share feedback and, in turn, shape our activities on the industry’s behalf – from lobbying to marketing, workforce development and business support”.
She adds: “Tourism and hospitality play a crucial role in sustaining local employment and thriving communities, so it’s essential for tourism businesses to voice their concerns and keep making their presence known.
“It only takes a few minutes to complete and every business that fills in the anonymous survey is helping us advocate on Cumbria’s behalf. You don’t have to be a member of Cumbria Tourism to take part; we want to hear from all tourism and hospitality providers of all shapes and sizes in every corner of the county.”
Graham Lamont, Chief Executive at Lamont Pridmore, adds: “As trusted business advisers we are advocates for the importance of information to drive business decisions.
“We support Cumbria Tourism’s Business Performance Survey because it ensures tourism business leaders can make informed decisions about their direction and ensures that professional advisers, like ourselves, have the most up to date picture.
“It also provides vital, research-based evidence to inform Government and policy makers about the wider needs of, and issues affecting, Cumbria’s tourism industry.”
Tourism and hospitality businesses throughout Cumbria are being urged to complete the survey by Friday 10 October, to anonymously share their experiences and make their views known. Visit www.cumbriatourism.org to have your say.