CARLISLE hotels have reported soaring occupancy rates this year as tourists flock to the city for the summer. 

Carlisle is successful as a base for neighbouring tourist hotspots during busy parts of the year.

The so-called 'City of the Lakes' is seen by some as a more affordable visitor alternative to hotel stays within the Lake District itself.

As England's northern gateway city to Scotland and with excellent rail links to Newcastle, Manchester Airport and London, Carlisle provides an excellent stopover for staycation visitors, work contractors, and holidaymakers making an onward journey.

Local hoteliers agree Carlisle is an affordable option for those visiting the north-west.

But the city itself is also a draw. General manager of Cumbria Park Hotel, Paul Hicks, said: “People are coming for Carlisle, it's not just as a base, the nightlife is varied.

“Our occupancies now are strong and have been since February; obviously we enjoyed the benefit of staycations.

“I think over the years it's had its ups and downs. It's enjoying a new lease of life, but I would say it's a long way off the likes of York.

"But people are coming here for a variety of reasons, if it's not for Tullie House, it's for the parks, the Castle, and the history.

“Carlisle is seen as a cheaper option, but Carlisle itself has a lot more to offer in terms of nightlife, certainly with our proximity to Scotland; with the restrictions there we've seen a lot of Scottish customers.

“During the course of the year we explored different markets to combat the troughs, we're enjoying occupancy rates of 90 per cent this month and it was the same last year."

Val Warriner owns the Warwick Hall B&B in Carlisle. She said: “We’re not a tourist destination, we’re not in the Lake District.

“We do get people who walk Hadrian’s Wall but the majority of my business comes from nice rich English people going up and down the M6 who have a few days out of London, and will have a nice place to stay, walk their dog, and enjoy a nice breakfast before they leave to where they’re going.”

Gill Haigh from Cumbria Tourism said: “Alongside the incredibly strong transport connectivity, and as a heritage and university city, with access to arts, culture, creative activities, retail, and attractions Carlisle should be at the top of people’s lists as a place to visit.

“While there has been great progress in terms of the value and volume of visitors to Carlisle in recent years, there are still plenty of opportunities to grow Carlisle’s appeal as a key hub for those visiting the county in the future."

She added: “Developing the university campus into ‘A Cultural Campus for Carlisle’, represents an outstanding opportunity to significantly enhance the appeal of Carlisle’s unique historic quarter."

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