Tourism businesses are being asked to undergo a “health check” to help inform plans to boost Cumbria’s £2.72bn visitor economy.

Cumbria Tourism is urging businesses to complete the anonymous ‘Tourism Business Health Check’ survey so it can find out how the sector is performing and learn more about the successes and challenges it is facing.

The results will be used to inform the way the organisation supports the industry and help to boost Cumbria’s reputation as a world-class visitor destination.

The survey gives businesses the opportunity to comment on issues and trends affecting trade, ranging from concerns about Brexit negotiations to the importance of the new Carlisle Lake District Airport and the impact of the Lake District’s newly confirmed World Heritage Status.

It will cover the six months from April to September 2016.

Cumbria Tourism’s Research Manager, Helen Tate, says, “This regular 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.

“The survey is quick and easy to complete, and allows us to build a clearer picture of current and emerging issues, so we can keep supporting the industry and continuously improve as a world-class visitor destination.”

Gill Haigh, Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, added: “The answers to these in-depth questions will be a very important and rich source of data, which will help determine how we can best support businesses in the coming months and years.”

The six-monthly ‘Tourism Business Health Check’ is just one area of regular research undertaken by Cumbria Tourism as part of its role as the county’s official destination management organisation.

Other analysis by the research team includes monthly occupancy surveys, county-wide visitor surveys, regular analysis of accommodation stock and data collection from Tourist Information Centres and visitor attractions.

Businesses can complete the survey at www.cumbriatourism.org.