Farron calls on Foreign Office to provide "boost" to tourism in South Lakes

The Lake District is potentially losing out on millions of pounds of extra revenue because of the UK's decision not to enter the Schengen agreement according to South Lakes MP, Tim Farron, who today called on the foreign office to give tourism in the UK a much needed boost.

Speaking today in the House of Commons during questions to the Foreign Office Ministers, Mr Farron spoke of his frustration that the UK was missing out on the valuable Chinese tourist market because of the UK's refusal to be a part of the Schengen territory.

Germany currently receives 4 times more Chinese visitors than the UK, with one of the main contributing factors being the fact that Chinese tourists are required to apply for an additional visa to enter the UK, preventing many popular tourist destinations such as the Lake District from fully capitalising on that lucrative market.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"The UK's refusal to consider signing the Schengen Agreement is costing our tourism industry billions of pounds each year, with popular tourist destinations such as our own Lake District and Yorkshire Dales suffering as a result.

"The Foreign Office should be asking why it is that four times as many Chinese tourists are visiting Germany than Britain. It certainly isn't because they don't want to come to the UK. It's because they simply don't want the hassle of having to apply for another visa.

"Given the delicate nature of the economy, the Foreign Office should be looking at ways in which they can encourage more tourists to visit the fantastic destinations such as the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, which are on offer in the UK."