TOURISM business is booming in the Lake District thanks to a weak pound and an increased number of international visitors.

A survey undertaken by Cumbria Tourism has shown that 84 per cent of Cumbrian tourism businesses have seen their overseas visitor numbers either level or up on 2016.

"This is largely due to the effect of the weak pound but also reflects the fact that iconic destinations like the Lake District have an enduring appeal to international audiences," said Helen Tate, research manager for Cumbria Tourism.

"The accolade of double world heritage site status further underlines our world class credentials. New flights into Northern England from China, the USA and Europe are also helping increase visitor numbers from other parts of the globe, and the development of Carlisle Airport opens up even more new possibilities for 2018."

And these figures reflect the national picture, with statistics showing that in the first nine months of 2017 there were a record 12.7 million visits to English regions outside London.

This is up four per cent compared to the same period in 2016, with international visitors spending £6.1 billion in that time frame.

Joe Cobb, chair of the Lake District Hotels Association, said that members of the group had reported a 'specific rise' in far east Asian visitors.

"This has been buoyed by the news that flights from all over China in to Manchester are rapidly increasing and with Manchester Airport sat at 50 per cent capacity we would welcome the news of more flights in to the gateway of the North," he said. "We believe other aspects such as the opening of Carlisle Airport and the recent world heritage status inscription will only increase that momentum further."

According to Cumbria Tourism, the visitor economy is worth £2.72bn a year and supports 63,000 jobs.

Liz Chegwin, marketing manager for Mountain Goat in Windermere said that the tour specialist had 'definitely' seen an increase in international visitors.

"I think it's a lot to do with the Chinese market," she said. "We are seeing a lot more footfall. There's a lot of international students, so we get quite a few families visiting students who are studying here."

She said that the business wanted to continue to focus on China and she anticipated that the impact of world heritage status would 'filter through eventually'.

"The popularity in Japan is largely to do with Beatrix Potter because they use her books to teach English," she said. "China, I am not so sure. I think it's maybe to do with open spaces. If they go outside of London it's generally to places with lots of open spaces and clean air and a lot of what they do not have in China."