A TOURISM leader in Cumbria has pronounced her delight after a well known American newspaper included the Lake District in its list of places to visit in 2020.

A New York Times article placed The Lake District at 32 in the list of 52 between Paris and Tajikistan.

Annelise Sorensen wrote: ‘William Wordsworth’s lyricism shaped Romanticism, the movement of individualism, inspiration and communing with nature’ which she said was ‘epitomised by the Lake District, a verdant region of peaks and valleys in northwest England that was designated a World Heritage Site in 2017’..

The ‘Reimagining Wordsworth’ project was listed as the key reason to visit as it celebrates the 250th anniversary of the poet’s birth.

Gill Haigh, managing director at Cumbria Tourism, said: “We’re very pleased to see the Lake District, Cumbria highlighted by the New York Times as a top 2020 destination.

“International visitors are a key part of our £3 billion industry and spend on average £150 per party per trip according to our 2018 visitor survey and visitors from America are one of our top and most established markets.

“Tourists are often older with the time and money to plan and enjoy active and culturally rich tours of ‘bucket list’ destinations.

She added: “Cumbria ticks many boxes for this market due to our close ties in language, history and culture, especially this year’s 250th Wordsworth anniversary celebrations.

“With many visitors drawn to World Heritage Sites, both the Lake District and Hadrian’s Wall are becoming even more attractive to international, visitors and we have recently led on a Discover England Fund project showcasing the North West’s UNESCO sites to the US market. “

“The county’s availability, particularly the north and coast, has recently become much more accessible to the US market with the interconnectivity of Carlisle Lake District Airport with Belfast and Dublin airports.

“Cumbria’s stunning natural beauty, history and culture are a large draw.

“Representatives of Cumbria Tourism travelled to Boston and New York City last year as part of a trade mission, meeting tour operators and consultants to put the county firmly on the map.

“It’s fantastic to see all of our activity, and that of our partners, reaching its target and we look forward to welcoming visitors from America, and further afield, in 2020 and beyond.”

The US capital Washington was top of the New York Times list, and the next UK destination to appear on the list after The Lake District was the city of Plymouth, Devon.