MP urges residents and tourists to visit local gems during English Tourism Week

Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister kicked off English Tourism Week over the weekend with visits to Wild Ennerdale in the Lake District National Park and the Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, West Cumbria’s civic museum.

English Tourism Week runs from 14th to 23rd March and celebrates our country’s vibrant tourism offer. Josh is using the week to highlight all that West Cumbria and the western lakes has to offer, with posts every morning throughout the week on Facebook showcasing some of his favourite local destinations.

Josh visited the Beacon Museum to launch the week and saw the incredible ‘Inspired by Industry’ exhibit, featuring 11 previously unseen Percy Kelly paintings. Josh was joined by Cumberland Council and Cumbria Tourism and they discussed ways to bring more visitors to West Cumbria’s civic museum. Civic museums were given a £20 million funding boost in a recent announcement by the Government, which will benefit Tullie and the Beacon here in Cumberland.

Josh said:

“I said it in my maiden speech in Parliament and I meant it, my constituency is without a doubt the most beautiful place in the UK. The dramatic landscapes of the remote western lakes, our stunning coastline, and towns and villages with a rich and vibrant offering for residents and visitors alike. Yes we have our challenges, and I’m working hard every day to address those, but let’s talk up our community and celebrate our strengths too!

“This English Tourism Week I’m committing to working with local and national partners to do everything I can to bring more of the tens of millions of tourists who visit the Lake District every year further west to support and boost our local economy. But I also want local residents to make more use of what we have right here on our doorstep.

“So why not use this weekend to go exploring in your own neighbourhood? Take a walk in the Wasdale or Ennerdale valleys or along our stunning coast, visit a local museum or theatre and enjoy a drink and some food in one of our world-class pubs and restaurants. And then shout about it to all of your friends!”