Windermere Lake Cruises is looking to attract more visitors from Shanghai thanks to airlines with the north of England.

The Cumbrian attraction is capitalising on new direct flights from China's biggest city to Manchester, creating a fresh gateway into the Lake District.

One of the company's leading executives has gone to Shanghai to liaise with their tour operators and travel buyers.

Their aim is to promote the Lake District and Cumbria to potential Chinese tourists.

The Westmorland Gazette: Jennifer Cormack is looking to capitalise on the new flights

Jennifer Cormack, sales and marketing director with Windermere Lake Cruises said: "This could be a very significant time for developing fresh tourism markets for Cumbria as direct flights between Manchester and Shanghai will launch at the beginning of July.

"We know Chinese tourists love the Lake District so these new flights into Manchester will give them a great new gateway to the Lake District."

"Heading to Shanghai now should give that trade a timely boost."

She is attending the European Tourism Association’s "China European Marketplace" event in Shanghai on May 24 and during her stay, she will meet with selected Chinese tour operators looking to develop new markets in the UK.

Once up and running on July 1, Juneyao Air will connect Manchester airport with Shanghai three days a week.

The start was delayed from March 2020 due to the Global Pandemic.

Ms Cormack said: "China is a key market for our county,

"They love the region's scenery, history and culture.

"This new route into the North West of England will hopefully encourage more travellers to come and see all we have to offer."

This trip follows other promotional visits Windermere Lake Cruises has made to potential tourist markets around the world.

Stops have included Jakarta (Capital of Indonesia), Kuala Lumpur (Capital of Malaysia) and Bangkok (Capital of Thailand).

Ms Cormack. said: "The reaction we get from travel buyers in these new markets is incredible.

"Many have traditionally taken overseas visitors to London and Edinburgh but now they are adding the English Lake District along with visits to quintessentially English attractions like Windermere Lake Cruises and the Lakeland Motor Museum."

The company has been proactive in stimulating international visits over the past year.

In November, they sent a "Come to Cumbria!" message to both India and China, following trips to the USA and Europe.

Cumbria Tourism research supports the importance of these efforts, showing international visitors usually spend 55 per cent more per person per day than domestic visitors.