One of the world’s biggest holiday websites has signed up for the Lake Hospitality Trade Show, the county’s largest event of its kind.

Booking.com, which offers holiday makers access to more than 400,000 properties in 192 countries, will be one of the showcase’s exhibitors at the Show, which takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 25 and 26.

It will be held at the Daffodil Hotel in Grasmere and has the theme ‘From the Bay to the Borders’, as it is organised by Lakes Hospitality Association in conjunction with Bay Tourism and Keswick Tourism Association.

Last year’s event attracted more than 1,000 visitors, bringing together business owners ranging from holiday and hospitality providers with suppliers to the industry, including caterers, food producers, service companies and business specialists.

Those attending came from across the north of England and the Scottish borders and organiser Colin Monk hopes this year’s event will be even bigger and better.

“It’s amazing that we are attracting exhibitors of the calibre of Booking.com,” he said.

“Our show is unique in the region for the range of opportunities it offers those in the hospitality business and signing up big-name companies like this gives businesses here access to international expertise.

“The show brings together companies to help them upgrade, invest, find new ideas and get special deals, only available to those attending the event. It’s a must for everyone connected to tourism and hospitality in the county.

“From food and drink, catering equipment, tourism attractions, technology and other hospitality services, as well as furniture and furnishings, there is simply no other event in the region that offers such a variety of specialist companies.”

Booking.com will be joined at the 2014 Lakes Hospitality Trade Show by more than 80 other exhibitors from the industry – including this year’s event sponsors, the Lake District National Park Authority, Nurture Lakeland, Lakeland Radio and Altham’s Catering Butchers of Morecambe.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to attend a host of seminars and workshops with a number of business experts, details of which will be announced soon.

Visitor registration is open now – go to www.lakeshospitalitytradeshow.co.uk to book your place. A few exhibitor spaces are still available, call the Lakes Hospitality Association team on 015394 44495.