Tourism businesses are worried about labour shortages, skills, travel disruption and Brexit, the latest survey by Cumbria Tourism has found.

However, businesses were more optimistic about opportunities to grow the sector. 

Cumbria Tourism carries out regular surveys with tourism businesses every six. This autumn its business performance survey was carried out in partnership with accountants, tax and business advisors, Lamont Pridmore.

The results, covering the six months from March to September, revealed that 40 per cent of businesses reported that disruption on the railways was damaging for the region, while 64 per cent of businesses say they have a problem recruiting staff. Almost half also report problems with retaining staff.

Other key findings include:

  • 76 per cent of businesses reported returning customers as a positive factor over the past six months.
     
  • 73 per cent of tourism businesses will either exceed or match their performance from 2017. However, this is 16% lower than the previous year.
     
  • 44 per cent reported staycations as a big driver for growth.
     
  • 58 per cent of businesses think that plans to open up flights from Carlisle Lake District Airport will have a positive effect on tourism
     
  • Cumbria’s most important overseas markets are: the USA, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands and China.
     
  • 60 per cent of businesses think Cumbria’s status as a World Heritage Site will have a positive effect.

Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said: “This latest research demonstrates that 2018 has been a challenging year for the tourism industry. The significant rail disruption combined with the extreme weather – including the so-called ‘Beast from the East’ followed by the exceedingly hot weather in May and June - have taken their toll, and there is certainly evidence of visitors tightening their spending. At the same time, there have been increased costs for businesses.

“The survey results also illustrate the significance of staffing and recruitment challenges and increasing concerns regarding the impact of Brexit. This is not completely unexpected, but shows that the visitor economy needs continued support to keep growing in value."