皇冠体育app

Businesses in Cumbria were today urged to make the very most of the opportunity of the country hosting the Olympics, as Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport kicked off a nationwide 鈥�2012 tour鈥� in Penrith.

Addressing more than 100 hoteliers, businesses and tourism bodies from across Cumbria, the Secretary of State said that the region was one of the most stunning parts of the country, and that there were big wins to be had in 2012 for Cumbria鈥檚 tourism industry in particular.

He also revealed that the region would feature in major international and national marketing campaigns to promote UK tourism in 2012, and urged local tourism firms to sign up to a new 20.12 per cent discount scheme.

皇冠体育app event, which was hosted by Eric Robson, Chairman of , showcased the business, tourism, cultural and sporting opportunities that the Games bring.聽 It also featured internationally acclaimed Cumbrian drumming band .

Other speakers included (Tourism Minister), Ruth Mackenzie OBE (Director of the ), Andy Worthington (Chair of the ) and James Berresford (Chief Executive of ).

Jeremy Hunt said: 鈥淟ast year, 40 million visitors came to Cumbria, bringing 拢2 billion into the local economy. Next year, we can do even better.聽 We have a once-in-a-generation chance to show the world the very best of Cumbria - from the stunning scenery of the Solway Coast and 皇冠体育app Lakes, to cultural and historic sites like Dove Cottage and Tullie House, and Michelin-starred restaurants like Holbeck Ghyll and Sharrow Bay.

鈥淎nd with so much going on, including the fantastic Lakes Alive spectacular on Windermere, 2012 is also the perfect time for more of us to holiday at home. That鈥檚 why I am working with VisitEngland on a new 20.12 per cent discount scheme to encourage more people to experience the delights of Cumbria and other parts of the UK.聽 Lots of household names are already signed up, and I urge local tourism businesses to get on board as well.鈥�

鈥檚 Chief Executive, James Berresford said:

鈥淚鈥檓 delighted to be here in Cumbria with the Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt, and Tourism Minister, John Penrose.聽 This exciting tourism road-show launches England鈥檚 most high profile campaign to boost domestic tourism, and is designed to highlight the fantastic experiences Britons can enjoy on their doorsteps.聽 Next year offers the tourism industry a number of fantastic opportunities.聽 Not only will England be showcased to billions all over the world, but we have the opportunity to grow domestic tourism by inspiring Britons to rediscover England and take a holiday at home next year.聽 Our job as the national tourist board is to work with the industry to harness the pride we know is felt by local residents and to inspire them to act as ambassadors for their destinations for next year and beyond.鈥�

Eric Robson, Chairman of said: 鈥榃e are pleased to be hosting the minister in Cumbria as he starts his nationwide tour. We are proud that he has chosen to launch this campaign, designed to boost England鈥檚 tourism offer, in the heart of the Lake District, Cumbria, one of England鈥檚 premier holiday destinations. 皇冠体育app campaign is about highlighting what England has to offer, and it is a fantastic opportunity for us. We offer outstanding accommodation, fantastic local food and drink, adventure, culture and heritage, and we have much to show the millions of visitors who come here each year.聽 With Britain鈥檚 favourite view, deepest and longest lakes, highest mountains, stunning landscape and inspirational coastline, what we have to offer is unparalleled anywhere else in England. Cumbria, simply put, has it all. So we encourage visitors to think of us and come linger a while and discover our all-year-round destination experiences in one of England鈥檚 favourite visitor destinations.鈥欌��

Mr Hunt also visited 聽in Carlisle today, where he hosted a school sport summit, along with wheelchair basketball athlete Mark Fosbrook.聽 At the event Mr Fosbrook spoke about how sport was his inspiration, and urged schools to .聽 Using the inspiration of London鈥檚 Olympics, the competition is helping to transform competitive sport in schools and get more young people playing sport.聽

Mr Hunt added: 鈥溁使谔逵齛pp School Games will leave a real lasting legacy from London鈥檚 Olympic and Paralympic Games.聽 皇冠体育appy will transform sport in school, bringing back competition and getting rid of 鈥榩rizes for all鈥�.聽 皇冠体育appre is still time for schools to sign up for the competition, which will have its first finals in the Olympic Park next year.鈥�

皇冠体育app events in Cumbria today were the first in a series of events around the country hosted by Mr Hunt, to help all parts of the country make the most of the opportunities of the Games, and to urge schools to sign up to the School Games competition.

, Paralympian and Sporting Champion said:

鈥溁使谔逵齛pp School Games promises to offer a range of opportunities for young people to learn more about themselves through a series of well organised competitions. I have seen many youngsters grow in self-confidence by being part of a team, working as volunteers and officials. As a Sporting Champion, I hope that I can support young people in local communities to develop their talents and get into sport!鈥�

Notes to Editors

1. Mark Fosbrook is a wheelchair basketball player, a member of the British Wheelchair Basketball Squad and is currently training to be selected for the senior team for London 2012.

2. Boom Dang is a side-ways drumming band, which performs with choreography, drums and tuned percussion.聽 皇冠体育appy play an original mix of Drum & Bass, Bhangra, Drumline, Latin, Afro-Beat, Merengue and Moroccan trance.聽 Further information here.聽 Today鈥檚 performance featured聽 Daniel Nicholson, Joe Nicholson, Jake Newton, Rachael Askew, Kim Tweddell and Darren Head.

3. For further information about tourism in Cumbria please contact Greg Stephenson at Cumbria Tourism on 01539 825060 or email聽[email protected].

4. For further information about contact Sarah Long on 0207 578 1452 or email聽[email protected].

5. For further information about please contact Evlyn Goddard on 01228 674114/07920 473786 or email [email protected].

6. More information about London 2012 is here and here.

7. 皇冠体育app initiative is an international campaign to maximise the tourism and business opportunities of the UK hosting the 2012 Games.

8. This is the first of a series of regional visits that Jeremy Hunt is making around the country to promote the opportunities of 2012.聽 皇冠体育app provisional list of other dates is:

* 16 November: East Midlands (Nottingham) 
* 18 November: South West (Eden Project) 
* 23 November: West Midlands (Birmingham) 
* 1 December: East of England (Norwich) 
* 2 December: South East (Canterbury) 
* 16 December: North East (Gateshead) 
* 12 January: London 
* 18 January: Yorkshire & Humber (York) 
* 20 January: North West (Manchester) 
* Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to be confirmed  

1. 皇冠体育app School Games is a new school sport competition, using the inspiration of London鈥檚 Olympics and Paralympics to help transform competitive sport in schools and get more young people playing sport.聽 Open to all schools, there are three levels of competition (class versus class, school versus school and then county or city wide sports festivals) leading up to the showcase final on the Olympic Park. 皇冠体育app School Games will continue after 2012 and the ambition is for the finals to be held in the Olympic Park at regular intervals. Schools have until the end of January to sign up.聽 Further information about the school games is available on the 听补苍诲听迟丑别 .听听听听

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