As Liz Truss is confirmed as the new Prime Minister, Cumbria Tourism is urging tourism and hospitality businesses to make their voices heard about the issues that matter to them by completing its latest new ‘business tracker’ survey.

The aim of the research is to gather ‘real-time’ data from tourism operators about the challenges they are facing as they head into the challenging autumn and winter months.

With skyrocketing costs, rising inflation and a growing energy crisis, Cumbria’s official Destination Management Organisation has teamed up with Cumbrian accountancy firm Lamont Pridmore to launch the in-depth business survey to better understand the key issues.

The results will provide first-hand, up-to-date evidence to inform destination marketing on behalf of the county. Crucially, Cumbria Tourism will also use the anonymous data to make Cumbria’s case with national decision-makers - not least Liz Truss and her new Cabinet, but also key industry bodies including The Tourism Alliance and UK Hospitality.

“There are many challenges on the horizon for tourism businesses,” says Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh.

“This survey spans a wide range of questions, from the energy crisis and spiralling costs to recruitment issues, transport and staff housing. It also explores forward bookings for the winter.

“We know businesses are worried, but this research will enable us to dig down deeper into the experiences of individual operators and emphatically prove that to key decision-makers.

“It just takes a few minutes to complete and every business who fill in the anonymous survey really is helping us provide concrete information we can take to the highest levels of government.

“Tourism and hospitality are vital for supporting local jobs and communities, and this type of data was vital for making Cumbria’s case for more support during the pandemic.

"Once again, it’s time for tourism businesses to make their voices heard!”

She adds, “Over the past two and half years, I’ve been blown away by tourism operators’ creativity, resilience and sheer tenacity to find new ways to diversify and develop.

“As well as highlighting problems, the survey is also a way for businesses to highlight new ideas, innovations and potential solutions to help us collectively – both as a county and an industry – to meet the undoubted challenges of the months ahead.”

Cumbria Tourism’s Research Manager, Helen Tate, adds, “We know how busy businesses are, but all the information we gather will be used to help them in the coming months.

“This survey is quick and easy to complete, it is completely anonymous and it really is very important for helping us to understand the factors affecting trade right here, right now.

“At the same time, we have been carrying out this type of research for many years now. So as well as helping us tackle the immediate issues, this information enables us to build up a

long-term picture, so we can keep supporting the sector and continuously improving the county as a tourism destination.”

Tourism and hospitality-related businesses across the county being urged to complete the survey now.

Businesses do not need to be a member of Cumbria Tourism to take part: www.cumbriatourism.org/who-we-are/resource-hub.