CUMBRIA Tourism will be flying the flag for the county at four trade shows, starting with one of the international cruise industry’s leading events in Lisbon.

Working alongside Associated British Ports Barrow, staff will be attending Seatrade Cruise Med in Portugal on Wednesday and Thursday to help raise the awareness of Barrow as a "visitor gateway" to the county.

The team will be highlighting the accessibility of the west coast, the Lake District and other Cumbrian gems to cruise ship operators putting together itineraries for their passengers during potential stop-offs at Barrow.

Seatrade Cruise Med is the start of a packed calendar of events over the coming weeks, with Cumbria Tourism also heading to the Group Travel and Leisure Show at Birmingham’s NEC to represent tourism businesses in early October, in partnership with Northern Print Distribution (NPD), VisitBritain's annual International Business Exchange and the World Travel Market at London’s Olympia in early November.

Sue Clarke, Cumbria Tourism's sales and marketing manager, said: “We’re gearing up for high-profile events with the travel trade, to help convince operators that the Lake District, Cumbria, is a ‘must see’ destination."

Carl Bevan, divisional port manager at Associated British Ports, said: "We want to support visitors coming to Cumbria through the port. We hope more visitors will explore the Furness Peninsula and the quieter part of this fabulous county."