The message is going out loud and clear that “Keswick really does have something for everybody” as the town’s tourism association looks toward a bumper summer season for businesses.
Tourism manager Vanessa Metcalfe, of Keswick Tourism Association Ltd, said in terms of accommodation the first quarter of the year was up on last year. But then April was really down.
That was potentially down to an early Easter, awful weather and the cost of living, said Vanessa, but generally bookings were looking good for the summer.
“I think we are absolutely on track, I would say for at least as good a year as last year, possibly slightly better,” said Vanessa.
As people don’t have as much disposable income, the trend they are seeing is that people are being a little bit more cautious, and more people are booking at the last minute and they are waiting to see what the weather is going to do.
“There are still those that are booking ahead and that is why we have good forward bookings,” said Vanessa, but there were still gaps which need to be filled by those booking nearer to their stay.
She said the tourism association’s role throughout the year is to promote the town and their member businesses as well.
“We do, when it is really super busy in the summer, tend to promote more things that are a little bit out of town. We try and spread the load,” she said.
This year it is also running a campaign on behalf of the Lake District National Park Authority, to the end of October, which is promoting sustainable travel.
“We are encouraging people who want to get to Keswick to park their car up and plan what they want to do around being able to walk, bike, get the launch, or get on the bus,” she said.
“It is just constantly reminding people that Keswick is here. I think we take for granted that people will just come.”
But that is not necessarily the case as there were a lot of other places in the Lakes all vying for visitors to go to them instead.
Staff shortages still persist in Keswick for some businesses operating in the tourism sector, but Vanessa said she had not seen as many people advertising for employees as she did last year.
“Some people may be struggling – it is still an issue – but I’m not sure if it is as big an issue.
‘’That could just be because businesses have adapted and they’ve learnt to operate on fewer staff or they have adjusted their hours.”
