As COVID-19 business support comes to an to end – despite many employers struggling to recruit and retain staff – the county’s official Destination Management Organisation (DMO) is encouraging businesses to share their concerns as it continues to lobby the Government on their behalf.
The DMO, which supports tourism and hospitality businesses across Cumbria, has achieved real success during the pandemic. It has argued for more flexible furlough, a relaxation of immigration policy, financial support extensions and more – all informed by its ongoing research carried out in conjunction with Lamont Pridmore. With businesses continuing to face new and existing challenges, including a severe staffing shortage, Cumbria Tourism is now calling on operators to share their latest experiences through its Business Tracker Survey.
“The data provided by businesses has been truly invaluable” says Jim Walker, (pictured)Cumbria Tourism Chair. “Armed with this research we have been able to influence policy decisions at the highest level to better support our members alongside informing national campaigns.
“Direct feedback straight from businesses is the best source we have. This continues to be a very fast-movingsituation, and our tracker survey allows us to take a snapshot of the industry to highlight the most pressing concerns at any point in time as we arrange meetings with MPs and key decision makers. We know that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) welcomes and uses this research from one of the UK’s leading tourism destinations”
The latest iteration of the tracker survey focusses on staff retention and recruitment difficulties alongside longer-term concerns.
“Even if you’ve completed the survey before we’re urging businesses to do so again” concludes Jim Walker. “Business needs have changed hugely over the past few months and every submission better informs us as we press the Government to provide long-term, tailored support.”
“However, businesses are far from out of the woods. Many are still operating at reduced capacity despite social distancing no longer being mandatory, and with the ‘pingdemic’ worsening an ongoing recruitment crisis we are continuing to call on the Government to further support our £3 billion industry.”
Business representatives can share their experiences at https://online1.snapsurveys.com/s/CTbusinesstracker
