IS CUMBRIA the 'staycation' capital of the UK?

In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis many people are turning away from holidays abroad and are focusing more on holidaying in the UK. 

The UK has a number of popular destinations, with Cumbria being a favourite among them with its breathtaking coast and world-renowned Lake District. 

To decide whether Cumbria can be considered the 'staycation' captial of the UK, local hotels have been suggesting why they think the area is a favourite amongst tourists.

The Derwentwater Hotel is located just outside Keswick, in the heart of the Lake District and is the beneficiary of some of Cumbria's most beatiful landscapes.

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Gemma Scott, front of house manager at the Derwentwater Hotel, explained why she thinks Britons are opting to go on 'staycations' rather than going abroad.

She said: "It is getting more and more expensive to go abroad, prices have gone up since the pandemic and its more cost effective to stay in the country."

Ms Scott believes that the natural environment plays a big part in attracting tourists to the county. 

She said: "It's the Lake District, the scenery, the walking, the fresh air and the open spaces.

"Also the locals, you can walk into any pub, hotel or establishment and chat to someone.

"In Keswick, there is something for everyone, it's home away from home."

As part of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and as we head into the winter months, tourism in Cumbria has dipped from its previous highs.

Ms Scott says that hotels like the Derwentwater should use this time to make sure they are ready for the influx of tourists when the weather starts to get warmer next year  - but also recognise that tourism in the county does not stop after summer.

She said: "We make sure we do what we can in the winter to make sure we are ready for Spring.

"We start renovating, we upgrade boilers and rooms.

"Tourism in the Lakes now is 365 days a year; people are seeing that through the winter there is more to see because it is quieter. It's an all year round destination."

'Strange days for the hospitality industry'

Meanwhile, in Carlisle, Yann Bescombes, general manager at The Halston, echoed Ms Scott's words about the cost-of-living crisis and the aftermath of the pandemic.

He said: "These are strange days for tourism and the hospitality industry.

"On one hand, following Covid and lockdown, people are wanting to fly abroad, and on the other, with the economic gloom forecasted, people decide to staycation.

"We anticipate some tough times ahead, with a rise on pretty much everything.

"The only way hospitality can survive is by providing genuine customer service, good food and warm atmosphere, creating memories."

Mr Bescombes also believes that Carlisle does attract tourists but has to discover its own identity to continue to grow its tourist scene.

He said: "Carlisle as a location could do better, we are attracting holiday makers going to Scotland and stopping on the way, or Scots on the way south.

"We need to find our identity as a destination in order to secure the 'two night or more stays' market to have shops, local attractions, bars, and restaurant to take advantage of the tourism."

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