Last updated 09:20, Saturday, 10 May 2008

With food and fuel increasing in price, and widespread complaints about the “credit crunch”, it is good to see that Cumbria’s tourism industry is not suffering from the general belt-tightening being experienced nationwide.

The health of the industry is not just good news for hotel owners, but for all of us. It is hard to overestimate the benefits that tourism brings to any area, with jobs in hotels, guesthouses, shops, bars and restaurants.

Cumbria can’t live without it.

And while tourism remains healthy, it is also good news that it is getting an extra boost.

Carlisle City Council, Hadrian’s Wall Heritage and Cumbria Tourism are teaming up to promote the county as a holiday destination.

There will be special supplements and adverts in national papers and a campaign tying in with the Hadrian exhibition at the British Museum.

In many ways it shouldn’t be hard to promote Cumbria.

We have many attractions on our doorstep, are the ideal base for visiting Scotland, Newcastle and the Yorkshire Dales and, most importantly, we are the gateway to the Lake District, easily one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

We have a lot to be proud of. Let’s hope the new campaign helps the rest of the nation to realise that.