Farron launches Cumbria Tourism Fightback

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today called for the government to support the Cumbrian tourism industry. Tim has written to Business Secretary Vince Cable asking for his support following proposed 53% cuts to Cumbria Tourism's yearly budget.

Recently news emerged that Cumbria Tourism are having to make half of its staff redundant, and Tim has stressed to the Business Secretary the importance of protecting this vital industry, which brings £1.1 billion into the local economy every year.

The North West Agency (NWDA) previously provided Cumbria Tourism with £1.3 million each year - already an unacceptable fraction of that received by other tourism hot-spots (London, for example, was receiving £15 million per year). Tim made a strong case for supporting Cumbrian Tourism to Vince Cable, highlighting that every pound spent advertising tourism in the area generates £50 for the local economy, and at least £5 for the Treasury.

This correspondence with the Business Secretary follows Tim's previous proposal of a 'new deal' for Cumbrian tourism, in which he asked for £10 million a year to boost Cumbria's tourism, in return for a guarantee to increase the revenue to the exchequer by £50 million as a result.

Speaking today, Tim Farron said: "Decreasing funding for Cumbrian tourism to such an extent is exactly the wrong way to manage this recession. With the Lake District (Britain's premier tourist destination outside of London) and the Yorkshire Dales on our doorstep, we have a world class premier league product and non-league marketing. I know that for every pound the government gives us they will get at least £5 back in return from people spending in the Lake District. I am asking Vince to support the economy and our tourism sector."