Sustainable and regenerative tourism
Regenerative tourism is about going further, seeking to improve and leave destinations in a better state than they were found. It is about contributing to communities and the environment for example through volunteering or business and visitor giving.
Sustainability is at the core of all we do as a National Park Authority. Our vision, agreed by all our partners, states that “The Lake District National Park will be an inspirational example of sustainable development in action.”
We want a tourism industry that is successful and profitable and protects the local environment and culture.
We want to:
Sustain the landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage which have always attracted visitors.
Improve the visitor experience by providing better services such information, public transport and improved public toilets
Improve access to the countryside and water
Provide more opportunities for adventurous activities and things to do when it is raining
offer local food and crafts distinctive to the area
Ensure that good quality accommodation is available at a wide range of prices
Sustainable Tourism Initiatives
The Go Lakes Travel programme is a £6.9 million initiative, funded by the Department of Transport, and being delivered in partnership by Cumbria County Council, the Lake District National Park Authority and Cumbria Tourism. GoLakes Travel was followed by the See More Cumbria and the Lake District project.
Between 2011 and 2015 it aimed to generate a step-change in how visitors travel to and around the Central and Southern Lake District, enabling them to make greater use of sustainable modes of travel.
Some key objectives include:
- Improving public transport services and traffic management to tackle congestion and reduce delays
- Creating a network of pay-as-you-go car and cycle hire fleets
- Developing safe, continuous networks for walking, cycling and wheelchair use
- Making paying for, and changing between different modes of travel easier, through integrated ticketing and discounts for those arriving by public transport
- Targeted marketing and information designed to change visitors’ travel behaviour to/from and around the Lakes
- Ensure that, as far as possible, local residents and communities benefit from the programme
Find out more on the Go Lakes Travel website.
Find out more about the legacy (PDF) and achievements (PDF) of these projects.
Footpath erosion is a serious threat to the mountain environment and consequently to the tourist industry. Walking is the most popular activity for visitors to the Lake District and fifteen million pairs of feet are very damaging to the footpaths particularly on the high fells.
The Fix the Fells project is a partnership of six organisations lead by the National Trust. It maintains and repairs the upland paths preventing further erosion. This is vital work without which access to the fells would be limited with severe impacts on the tourism industry.
Check out the Fix the Fells website for more information.
The Lake District Foundation was established as a charity in August 2017. Prior to this, under the name Nurture Lakeland, the organisation had been working for 23 years to raise funds from visitors and the tourism industry. We also delivered sustainable tourism programmes and messages across Cumbria, gaining national recognition. The Lake District Foundation will build on this work and grow in reach, impact and influence.
Love Your Lakes
This initiative encourages visitors, businesses and local people to take simple steps to reduce the amount of phosphates entering Windermere. This will improve water quality and reduce toxic algal blooms.
