Cumbria Tourism has unveiled four new Strategic Partners - a select group of influential tourism-related businesses who share the organisation’s core values and desire to significantly grow the value of the county’s £3billion visitor economy.

Stagecoach, Burnetts Solicitors, Grasmere Gingerbread® and holidaycottages.co.uk are the latest businesses to sign up to this core network of organisations who want to get behind the industry and support Cumbria Tourism in its role as one of the UK’s leading Destination Management Organisations (DMOs).

All highly respected and regarded within the sector, the four new Strategic Partners will share their collective expertise and champion the delivery of effective destination marketing for the wider benefit of a visitor economy which supports 65,000 jobs across the county.

The news comes as all sixteen of Cumbria Tourism’s Strategic Partners met recently to discuss the emerging five-year strategy for tourism across the county.

Rob Jones, Managing Director for Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, says, “As a local business operating a long-established network of bus services across Cumbria and as a large employer, we are extremely passionate about the area and people that we serve and work with.

“Our transition from member to Strategic Partner allows us to further our support in promoting Cumbria as a world class destination and presents opportunities to work collaboratively to shape the future prosperity of the region and raise the importance of a sustainable transport future”.

Burnetts also joins Cumbria Tourism as a Strategic Partner for the next three years. Robbie Mather, Partner who heads the firm’s Leisure and Tourism department says, “Burnetts has a strong track record advising a diverse range of clients within the leisure and tourism industry, including hotels, restaurants, visitor attractions, leisure operators, B&Bs and tourism membership groups.

“We are extremely active at the moment on the commercial side, advising those looking to sell, acquire, restructure or refinance their business. An example being the recent sale of the Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite.

“The work which Cumbria Tourism does for its members and the county is fabulous. As a firm we will be delighted to work alongside Cumbria Tourism as a Strategic Partner to support its members and to contribute towards making Cumbria an even greater destination for those visiting and living in the area.

Partner of Grasmere Gingerbread®, Joanne Hunter, comments, “We believe that Cumbria should have the very best corporate organisation representing the region as a whole. Grasmere Gingerbread® is world renowned but still only one component of a fantastic offering for visitors here in Cumbria and we believe it is vital to work together in the best interests of all, which is why we are proud to offer our expertise and support as new Strategic Partners for Cumbria Tourism.”

Meanwhile, Director of Growth at holidaycottages.co.uk, Joby Mussell, adds, “We’re delighted to become a Strategic Partner of Cumbria Tourism, a demonstration of our commitment to support the local economy and help raise awareness of Cumbria as fantastic place to take a staycation and explore some of the finest landscapes the UK has to offer”.