A RANGE of organisations are being urged to have their say on the first draft of Cumbria’s new five-year destination management plan (DMP).

The new document, due to be unveiled early next year, aims to shape collective priorities and resources to manage Cumbria’s visitor economy and support the county’s future growth as a great place to live, work, visit and study.

The visitor economy is worth £4.1billion to the local economy and is the largest source of employment in Cumbria, supporting 74,906 jobs.

There are also many more indirect jobs supported by the industry, which in turn, helps to attract further inward investment, as well as boosting infrastructure, reinforcing culture and heritage, and supporting thriving communities.

As the county’s government-accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), Cumbria Tourism is tasked with leading the development of the new county-wide Destination Management Plan, although a wide range of stakeholders will be responsible for delivering it.

The official steering group includes business representatives alongside Cumberland Council, Westmorland & Furness Council, the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and the Lake District National Park.

This is supported by a wider working group comprising of organisations like the Hadrian’s Wall Partnership, Forestry England and Borderlands, with representatives from local  transport providers, communities, and more.

During November, Cumbria Tourism will be sharing the draft Destination Management Plan at a range of special events and workshops, to gather further feedback –and refine the plan ahead of its official launch in early 2024.

As well as sharing it at this week’s Lake District National Park Partnership meeting and a special stakeholder event at the Inn on Lake at Glenridding on Wednesday, November 1, the Destination Management Plan will also come under the spotlight at Cumbria Tourism’s upcoming members’ meeting at The Villa Levens on Thursday, November 16.

Additional opportunities to comment on the plan include Keswick Tourism Association’s upcoming Tourism Forum, the Westmorland and Furness Tourism Summit and the Cumbria LEP (Local Economic Partnership) Visitor Economy Sector Panel later this month.

For anyone unable to attend the face-to-face events, they can view the key documents on Cumbria Tourism’s corporate website: cumbriatourism.org and provide feedback using a short online form.

There are three main areas for people to consider in their feedback. This includes selecting their top three objectives from the action plan and indicating the key actions their organisation can help to deliver against.

There is also an opportunity to provide information about major tourism-related projects which align with the overall objectives of the new (DMP).