TOURISM operators have reported a strong start to the year particularly in the camping and caravanning sector.

Provisional figures from Cumbria Tourism’s research team show that pitch occupancy was up almost 20 per cent between January and June 2017 compared to the same period last year.

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Self-catering has also done well with occupancy rates running nine per cent higher than the same period in 2016.

The figures for April, May and June were particularly impressive with unit occupancy reaching 70 per cent in June – a first for self-catering in the county.

Room occupancy for serviced accommodation is currently running two per cent up on 2016.

The news comes hot-on-the-heels of recent figures from the International Passenger Survey (IPS), carried out by the National Office of Statistics, which indicates a 26 per cent increase in overseas trips to Cumbria in 2016.

Helen Tate, research manager at Cumbria Tourism, said: “The data we have gathered from tourism businesses shows the underlying strength and resilience of our sector.

“While the main growth has come from camping, caravanning, and self-catering, there have been increases across the board and these figures suggest there is a great deal to feel positive about.

"With two World Heritage sites (Lake District and Hadrian's Wall), Cumbria now has an even more compelling message to help attract visitors from across the globe as we look forward to the next 12 months.”