Cumbria in Bloom working to support tourism

Cumbria in Bloom is calling on tourism businesses to work with them to help support the country’s biggest industry, at the start of English Tourism Week (March 15-24 2024.)

Chair of Cumbria in Bloom, Ronnie Auld is asking tourism businesses to take part in the annual Cumbria in Bloom Awards 2024 to improve the environment and raise the profile of the country.

More than 55 million people visit Cumbria each year, many to see the English Lake District. However, many more areas of the county are developing their tourism opportunities, which benefits the local economy and provides more employment for local people.

Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership report that tourism in the county provide 26 per cent of all employment and 20 per cent of the economy. In 2019 tourism brought £3 billion into Cumbria’s economy and following the COVID pandemic the area is more popular than ever.

Ronnie said: “By making towns and villages look as beautiful and biodiverse as possible will attract more visitors to help boost the County’s economy and make it an even better place to live and visit.

“We have had great support from tourism businesses since Cumbria in Bloom was launched in 1983 and have a special Tourism category in the awards. Entries have slowly started to head back towards the numbers we had back in 2019. However, the more tourism businesses who enter, the more improvements we will see to the local environment, which will attract more people to the area  – and in turn will benefit the local economy.

“As well as the Tourism categories, businesses can also enter the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood award.

“The success of entrants in Ulverston, Kendal, Whitehaven and Houghton in Carlisle have all in recent years represented Cumbria in the RHS Britain in Bloom. Some entrants have been featured on national television, including Irthington near Carlisle  and Ulverston which were featured on The One Show. 

“Tourism is vital for Cumbria’s people and economy and our Tourism Awards help operators of tourism related businesses make an attractive impact. We are grateful to Cumbria Tourism, who are one of our sponsors, for their support in the awards.

“The aim is for businesses to firstly produce a welcoming appearance while following the three guiding principles of good horticultural practice: environmental responsibility and recognition of and involvement in the local community.”

More information and entry forms for Cumbria in Bloom 2024 are available from the charity’s website, https://cumbria-in-bloom.org.uk/