Windermere Lake Cruises, the top paid visitor attraction in Cumbria, aims to attract more tourists from Shanghai due to new direct air links with northern England. A leading executive has traveled to Shanghai to meet with Chinese tour operators and travel buyers, promoting the Lake District, Cumbria.
Jennifer Cormack, Sales and Marketing Director with Windermere Lake Cruises, says: “This could be a very significant time for developing fresh tourism markets for Cumbria as direct flights between Manchester and Shanghai will launch at the beginning of July. We know Chinese tourists love the Lake District so these new flights into Manchester will give them a great new gateway to the Lake District. Heading to Shanghai now should give that trade a timely boost.”
Jennifer is attending the European Tourism Association’s “China European Marketplace” event in Shanghai this week (May 24) to meet with selected Chinese tour operators interested in developing new markets in the UK.
New direct flights connecting Manchester Airport with Shanghai are set to launch on July 1, operated by Juneyao Air, with service three days a week. Originally scheduled to start in March 2020, the airlink was delayed by the global pandemic.
“China is a key market for our county,” says Jennifer Cormack : “They love the region’s scenery, history and culture. This new route into the North West of England will hopefully encourage more travellers to come and see all we have to offer.”
Windermere Lake Cruises’ latest trade mission follows trips to other potential markets worldwide, including inaugural visits to Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok.
“The reaction we get from travel buyers in these new markets is incredible,” says Jennifer : “Many have traditionally taken overseas visitors to London and Edinburgh but now they are adding the English Lake District along with visits to quintessentially English attractions like Windermere Lake Cruises and the Lakeland Motor Museum.”
Windermere Lake Cruises has spearheaded efforts to boost international visits. Last November, they promoted a “Come to Cumbria!” message in India and China, following earlier visits to the USA and Europe.
Research from Cumbria Tourism highlights the significance of international visitors to the local economy, showing they spend 55% more per person per day than domestic tourists.
