MP calls for more support for Cumbrian tourism sector

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has called for a 'better deal for Cumbrian tourism' after a report by hotelier Travelodge which showed that the Lake District is the third place that people like to visit after London and Edinburgh.

Despite the dismal weather and tight household budgets, 2013 is going to be a record year for the Staycation trend, as 65% of Britons opt to take their summer holiday at home this year. This is a significant increase on the past two years, when 41% and 35% of Britons respectively took a domestic break. With the average trip costing Britons £399.28 this year, this investment will boost the UK tourism industry by £12 billion (up £3.3bn from last year). These findings have been revealed today in a new holiday index by Travelodge. The hotel chain's fifth annual holiday report surveyed 3,000 British adults to investigate their summer holiday intentions.

Following these results Tim is calling on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as well as the UK tourism industry to do more to promote Cumbria and the Lake District as a tourist destination, both at home and abroad, to ensure that more people hear and see what our towns, villages and landscapes have to offer.

Tim has consistently called for more support for Cumbria's tourism industry and campaigned to promote the Lake District as a top tourist attraction in the UK.

Commenting Tim said: "Tourism plays an absolutely vital role in our local economy. The results of this survey are therefore very concerning if many people in the biggest city in the country don't know where the Lake District is. We have so much to offer to tourists both from home and abroad, but if they don't know where we are then they will not experience everything we have to offer."