Windermere Lake Cruises nominated in the Group Travel Awards

Windermere Lake Cruises has been nominated for a prestigious group travel award – a timely boost for morale across the whole tourism sector around the lake.

The attraction has made the shortlist for the ‘Best Canal or Riverboat Operator for Groups’ category, at The Group Travel Awards, having been nominated in 2019, well-before the COVID-19 outbreak.

It’s being welcomed as a positive message, not just for all staff at Windermere Lake Cruises, but across Cumbria’s tourism industry as a whole, throwing much-needed positive light onto an industry which is currently struggling due to the Coronavirus health pandemic.

Sales & Marketing Director Jennifer Cormack, says, “We’re pleased to have been told about this nomination because providing great service for groups is so important to us all. It has come at a very difficult time for the industry but is a welcome reminder of just how valued the attraction is to so many people all over Cumbria, the UK and the world.

“It’s also a nice way for all our staff to be recognised for working so tirelessly and always giving great customer service. This kind of news really spurs the team on and helps to keeps us all in a positive frame of mind. It’s now the time of year when we’re usually gearing-up for another great summer season, so to receive this news during a period which is so challenging is very touching.

“Although visitors must not now travel to the Lake District, Cumbria, we look forward to a time when the Government instructs us that visits can resume and we look forward to being able to welcome guests, once again, to this most beautiful part of the world.”

With nominees decided by the readers of GTO magazineand the Group Travel Grapevine, the ceremony has earned a reputation of being the UK’s most distinguished and respected event, dedicated especially to serving the group travel market – one of Cumbria’s most important market sectors.

Subject to movement restrictions currently in place by the government, the winners are currently scheduled to be announced on 3 September at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London, when the coveted golden envelope is opened by a mystery celebrity host.

Windermere Lake Cruises also serves several award-winning family attractions which are dotted around England’s biggest lake, all of which are accessible by boat and will help to achieve tourism leaders’ goals of encouraging more visitors to enjoy what the region has to offer, when the Coronavirus challenges are over.

Jennifer continues, “By working with and supporting other like-minded businesses, the overall visitor experience becomes even better great value enjoyment and we’re delighted to be able to support that.”

Sarah Jeffery, Partnership & Product Director at Landor Publications and organiser of The Group Travel Awards commented, “Nominees of The Group Travel Awards are voted for by the readers of GTO magazine through personal experience over the last 12 months. Windermere Lake Cruises are to be warmly congratulated on being finalists in the ‘Best Canal or Riverboat Operator for Groups’ category. It is a great achievement”.

The full list of finalists can be viewed here.

Windermere Lake Cruises has also been 3x finalist at the British Coach Tourism Awards in recent years for its work to accommodate coach parties and their drivers, winning top honours twice. Meanwhile, sister-attraction The Lakeland Motor Museum boasts an extensive, free car park with more than enough room for multiple coach parties with a shuttle-bus service which transports visitors between the museum and Windermere lake, at Lakeside.

Staff are looking forward to being able to reopen both attractions in the coming weeks or months when government measures are relaxed, at the appropriate time.