So, how do you make the Lake District 'change and diversify' because it is too heavily weighted toward 'white middle-class able-bodied people'?

[Nanny0gg]

Richard Leafe, the Cumbria park's chief executive, said the Unesco World Heritage site must change to merit continued public funding.

I mean, it's mountains and lakes. What can you do?

And isn't that a tad patronising as well?

Slightly OT but I have just remembered on our most recent stay in the Lakes we visited Near Sawrey and found it very popular with Japanese tourists who love Beatrix Potter. I will never forget visiting the pub afterwards and seeing three Japanese girls who had ordered a pint of something strong and dark (Guinness maybe) and were sat in silent awe staring at it and photographing it but being utterly horrified when they tried to drink it.

Yes, but the stats show nothing has changed.

Could you provide a link to those 'stats'? I asked if anyone had actual evidence a few pages ago and none was forthcoming.

Plus, I take it that these 'stats' only show visitor numbers? Just because members of a certain ethnic group may not visit a certain tourist attraction in high numbers doesn't neccessarily indicate that there is a problem. Or do all tourist attractions have to have visitor numbers entirely in proportion with national demographics, ie with no more nor less than 14% of visitors from BAME backgrounds?

Make it more accessible via public transport and have cheaper accommodation options. That's all that needs to be done.

We went with a toddler and baby in tow and did a fair amount of walking (baby in a sling, toddler in a backpack), even if we didn't get to the tops of any of the hills it was still beautiful. I'd hate for that scenery to be spoiled in any way.

Are large numbers of BAME people actually saying that they'd like to visit the Lake District but feel they would not be welcome? Or has this Richard Leafe person decided to speak on their behalf and tick some 'diversity' boxes in the process?

^ This.

They don't ask us, they just talk bullshit in their quest for money ie diversity funding. + the woke points look good.

There are many so-called BAME 'complaints' that didn't come from us at all, just some arrogant idiot who takes it upon himself to be our voice for self-serving reasons. Its an easy win isn't it.

As if we'd not ever go to Lake District anyway. Anyone who's been there will know that of course non-white people do visit. The fact that we do is enough - no need for number crunching.

They don't ask us, they just talk bullshit in their quest for money ie diversity funding. + the woke points look good.

Plus, isn't it kind of racist to assume that all non-white people are the same? Are the reasons for people of Indian background (supposedly) not visiting the LD the same as those for people of Afro Caribbean background (supposedly) not visiting the LD? Sounds like half-baked diversiteee box ticking to me.

Beatrix Potter is hugely popular in Japan.

Make it more accessible via public transport and have cheaper accommodation options. That's all that needs to be done.

These aren't things that can be easily managed by public bodies though - accommodation is privately owned and the market rate will be charged. Public transport is really challenging in rural areas too. There are more buses in the Lakes than in lots of other rural places because of visitor numbers but its very expensive and many routes are cut because there aren't enough passengers.

I have a physical disability, and at no time have I ever felt 'entitled' to have access to everywhere that able-bodied people can go. It's my tough luck but I'm OK with that.

Plus, isn't it kind of racist to assume that all non-white people are the same? Are the reasons for people of Indian background (supposedly) not visiting the LD the same as those for people of Afro Caribbean background (supposedly) not visiting the LD?

Yes, it is. But he won't view it as racism, I've come across people like that with an 'educating the masses' mindset which is entirely racist in premise yet they think they're better than your average racist in the street.

The Diversity word gets on my last nerve.

Look, it's there-no-one is stopped from visiting it but if you need special encouragement to go, then maybe it's not your thing.

This Leafe person is a twat, he knows he's a twat and he feels no shame at being one.

As the area cannot be racist, what with it being just a geographical collection of features, he must mean that the people who live in it are racist.

What a barnstomping 'woke' prick he must be. How tiresome that a pillock like him is allowed to speak.

@IcedPurple

It's the typical white do-gooder mentality that we keep seeing. Rich white people who haven't got a clue wanting to speak on behalf of BAME people. Wanting to fight their battles for them, patronising them. All to make themselves feel good.

Whoever came up with this is clearly a white middle class person, who seems to think that "The non-white's aren't appreciating our British countryside so we need to push them into appreciating it." It's bloody bizarre and quite racist.

When I'm in the Lakes I see plenty from all backgrounds enjoying the scenery, but I do acknowledge that we have some very nasty, backwards racist characters in this country and especially in rural areas. Which is why I absolutely take it seriously when people BAME say don't want to visit a place like the Lakes for such reasons. We as a country need to address this. What I don't take seriously is the implication that BAME people aren't "capable" of enjoying it and we need to make it "more accessible" for them. Which is what the article implies.

Which is why I absolutely take it seriously when people BAME say don't want to visit a place like the Lakes for such reasons.

Are they actually saying this though? I don't mean the odd anecdotal comment, but was there a survey conducted that prompted this Richard Leafe dude to make his statement? Because as another poster pointed out, in the absence of any such survey - or other evidence that large numbers of BAME people have felt unwelcome in the LD - then basically he is saying that the people of Cumbria are racist, which I really don't think is fair.

I would like to go to Brixton for the day and end up in a rappers' club.

Can Richard Leafe address the matter of making it more culturally diverse, so that I can go there?

Thank you, Mr Leafe.

Look, it's there-no-one is stopped from visiting it but if you need special encouragement to go, then maybe it's not your thing.

Absolute rubbish. I only got into hiking and nature because I was taken by my middle class parents as a kid and also want on outdoor pursuit holidays with school. I've met kids in Y6 who have never seen a sheep before. Kids should absolutely get the opportunity to enjoy this kind of thing whatever their background.

Horrible snobby remarks all over this thread.

It's not that the Lakes are racist (beyond individual behaviour) it's the fact that someone has decided that visitors aren't diverse enough.

There could be many reasons for that. I think all that can be done is giving people confidence that the countryside is for everyone and making it accessible for those without a car.

It doesn't have to be the lakes, presume that most places have areas of lovely countryside available to start off with for day trips or weekend trips. Instead of maybe going to the local softplay or play park, getting out into the woods or hills for a walk.

ALLMY there are local children who live on the edge of the moors here who don’t go hiking or camping. They have the opportunities but have absolute no interest in it.

I suppose we could intentionally displace people from their home by ethnicity and culture.

I mean it'd be a crime under international law and go against every sane moral anyone has ever had, but who gives a shit if it's done in the name of "diversity".

How on earth do you get from “park’s chief exec wants to attract a more diverse visitor base” to “I suppose we could intentionally displace people from their home by ethnicity and culture“?

As the area cannot be racist, what with it being just a geographical collection of features, he must mean that the people who live in it are racist

It is possible to look at an unrepresentative visitor profile without meaning either of these things.

So many people seeing this as a threat

I’d like to see more non binary people around Windermere, it should attract funding.

Does every holiday place have to attract a demographic representative of the UK as a whole? And does it matter?

Open question. Might it not be possible that people from different cultural backgrounds like different things?

Isn't there a wider issue here that UK BAME are less likely to be seen anywhere at any holiday or leisure destination as they are much more likely to be less well off?

This is what needs tackling- poverty.

Might it not be possible that people from different cultural backgrounds like different things?

How very dare you suggest such a thing! Equal numbers of all groups must be represented in everything at all times, and if they’re not our wise overlords will root out the sinister racist thought-crime that is surely responsible. Now off to the gulags with you for some compulsory Equality and Diversity training!

Here’s an idea. Can people, regardless of whom they may be, not simply spend their holiday money wherever they like?

Isn't there a wider issue here that UK BAME are less likely to be seen anywhere at any holiday or leisure destination as they are much more likely to be less well off?

Less well off than whom? White working class people? And which BAME (God, I hate this way of lumping everyone together in one group like this)? I mean British Indians, to take just one groups, are a massive success story in the UK and would probably be mightily amused at the suggestion that they need to be helped to go on holiday by the likes of Richard Leafe.

I disagree that the lakes is prohibitively expensive. There are plenty of campsites and hostels. Sure the cottages are expensive to rent but that's true.

If we are looking at expensive places - what about London? I'm on a low income, live a 3 hour train ride from it and never go because I can't afford it. Am I bothered? No. There are some places I just can't afford to visit and that's life.