'Beautiful' Lake District outperforms rival tourist destinations

New research by VisitEngland shows the enduring popularity of the Lake District as a leading British tourist destination. South Lakeland MP Tim Farron has welcomed the report as a positive sign for the local economy and praised all those who work in the Lake District tourist economy.

"Beautiful" was the word most commonly associated with the Lake District, with 84% of those surveyed choosing this word to describe it, compared to just 57% for other British destinations. The survey also shows that the quality of the natural environment was the attribute which most struck visitors. The Lake District outperformed not only other UK destinations in this regard, but also other countryside destinations.

The report shows that the satisfaction level of 62% for visitors to the Lake District was significantly above the average of 48% for tourist destinations across Britain. Visitors also had a significantly higher likelihood of revisiting, compared to the national average.

Tim said: "This research is great news for the local tourist economy. It confirms what local people already knew - that our area is one of the most beautiful in the country. However, the Lake District visitor experience is not based solely on the stunning scenery, but also the hard work of all those who work in the local tourist industry. The fact that 2 out of every 5 visitors surveyed were revisiting less than a year after their previous visit is a tribute to the fantastic experience visitors have. This report shows the local tourist industry has a bright future."