As the summer holidays draw to a close, Cumbria Tourism is calling on residents to continue their strong support for local attractions and the thousands of local people employed by the tourism sector by getting involved in this week’s #CumbriaAttractionsWeek.

Running until Sunday, the county’s official Destination Management Organisation is asking people to help raise the profile of the attractions they visit by posting photos of their day-out on social media, using the hashtag #CumbriaAttractionsWeek.

Designed to inspire residents to visit somewhere new and discover even more of what’s right on the doorstep, the initiative will be used to reaffirm how local people are just as integral to the strength of the county’s economy as visitors from further afield.

Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, says, “We all enjoy visiting pubs, restaurants and cafes and it is common for us all to look around for ideas for a day-out close to where we live. By choosing to visit a local attraction, every resident will be playing a vital role in helping to protect 65,000 jobs, the economy and the way of life we all benefit from.

"The range of opportunities we have here is simply incredible. We have got wildlife attractions like Predator Experience and the Lake District Wildlife Park, to the birds of prey at Muncaster Castle and the Lake District Coast Aquarium. There are stunning gardens like those at Askham Hall, a chance to explore the arts at Tullie House or delve into Cumbria’s heritage at the Ruskin Museum, the Lakeland Motor Museum, Beacon Museum and The Senhouse Museum.

"“Experiences range from mediation at Conishead Priory’s Manjushri temple, creating confectionary at The Chocolate Factory, blowing glass at Cumbria Crystal, or trying dry-stone walling. We have got train and boat rides and plenty of physical activities too, from golf at Carus Green, water sports at Low Wood, fell pony camping adventures, and swinging among the branches at Treetop Trek.

"Among the attractions to have felt the benefits of local support in recent weeks is Whinlatter Forest. Mark Holroyd of Forestry England said: "Overall, visitor numbers are up 40% on this time last year and our average stay length is slightly up as well.”