Tourism and hospitality businesses across Cumbria are being called upon to participate in a survey about their trade challenges.

The research, a joint venture between Cumbria Tourism and Lamont Pridmore, Chartered Accountants, Tax and Business Advisers, invites all related businesses to anonymously discuss their daily trading problems.

Retailers and transport providers included, participants are not required to be members of Cumbria Tourism to voice their opinions on performance so far this year, specifically the recent summer period.

Due to ongoing concerns about rising expenditures and staffing issues, Cumbria Tourism emphasises the importance of local businesses joining the conversation to direct the future of the county's visitor economy.

The survey addresses a broad spectrum of issues, encompassing increasing inflation and costs, forward bookings, transport, employee housing, skills acquisition, recruitment, and more.

Research Manager at Cumbria Tourism, Helen Tate, said: “This latest health check of the county’s tourism businesses is really important for helping us to understand all the key issues affecting trade – both positive and negative. “It should take no more than 10 minutes to complete, but the feedback will help give us a very important and rich source of data, to help determine how we can best support businesses as they navigate the everyday complexities, challenges and opportunities which come their way.”

Cumbria Tourism’s Managing Director, Gill Haigh, highlights the importance of each completed survey and its contribution to a 'real-time' data set about the current state of businesses in Cumbria.

Gill Haigh, said: “We know businesses are under immense pressure, but each and every completed survey will help us make a difference.

“Real-time data gathered from businesses in Cumbria builds a true picture of what is happening ‘here and now’, and feeds directly into our lobbying work with key decision-maker, including: MPs, Government Ministers and other national organisations like VisitBritain, the Tourism Alliance and UK Hospitality.

“With the continued participation of businesses in this survey, we can keep up the pressure to strengthen not just the visitor economy, but Cumbria’s economy as a whole.”

Graham Lamont, Chief Executive at Lamont Pridmore, said: “I urge all hospitality and tourism businesses to complete this survey to quantify the issues and opportunities the sector is currently facing. The economic climate remains challenging for businesses, and it is vital that Cumbria Tourism, and others, like us, have the information needed to lobby Government and offer the high-quality business advice and services you need.”

You can take the survey at: https://tinyurl.com/2rcerc58