TOURISM bosses from Japan arrived in the Lake District on Friday as part of a trade mission designed to encourage visitors from the Far East to continue travelling to Cumbria.

The high-level delegation was invited by staff from Cumbria Tourism, VisitEngland and VisitBritain.

The team was made up of key decision makers in the Japanese travel trade specifically involved with building itinerates for package tours to England.

During the trip they met with Richard Greenwood from Cumbria Tourism and members of the Lake District’s Japan Forum.

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During a formal dinner and beer tasting at The Wild Boar Inn Grill & Smokehouse they were introduced to Lake District business leaders including , Colin Fox of English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues, Alan Fisher of Windermere Lake Cruises and Sarah Melhuish of The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction.

On Saturday the Japanese party embarked on a mini tour of some of the area’s cultural highlights including Blackwell The Arts & Crafts House and Levens Hall & Gardens.

The Lake District has, over the last 20 years, become a firm favourite with Japanese tourists, who are among the biggest spending overseas visitors to the county.

Richard Greenwood Cumbria Tourism’s Head of Operations said: “The Lake District is the jewel in the crown of Cumbria’s £2.1 billion tourism industry.

“We are so pleased that Cumbria Tourism and the Japan Forum have had this opportunity to update the Japanese travel trade face to face about new developments in the county and a taster of some of our top quality attractions.”