'We will decide when the lakes are open' AIBU to be irritated?

[Aberforthsgoat]

Just been on the phone to my cousin who lives in the Lakes. We were discussing how Cumbria has been really badly hit; I was saying how gutted we are to miss our Lakes holidays this year but how I hope it gets under control for the residents, and we are so looking forward to being able to go when we can.
My cousin said 'IF you can come'
And I acknowledged that of course, we would absolutely not come until it's safe for everyone to do so and government says we can; even then we would make our own risk judgement
My cousin responded by saying, quite smugly 'it doesn't matter what the government says,the people who live here will decide when its open, we are keeping people out at the moment'
She proceeded to tell me how much they all hate tourists and how they would blockade to keep people out if the government lets people visit too soon

I understand it must be scary and I would be worried if I live there too but AIBU for thinking this is quite a nasty reaction?! It's made me feel like actually maybe I won't go back, which I know is petulant and cutting off my nose to spite my face, but it's left a bad taste.

I had no intention of finding a loophole so I could go, I was talking about next year or the year after hopefully!

I lived in Cumbria for three years. I couldn't wait to get the hell out of it. I found the people insular, narrow minded and bigoted.

Maybe it depends where on the area you live. I'm a bit south of the national park and I find people here nice and friendly. The insular, anti-tourist stuff I've seen has all been online, and let's face it, there are plenty of ignorant bigots on social media from all areas of the country, not just Cumbria!

Really conflicted with where people stand on this as I have a holiday booked for early August (I figure it may only 50:50 if that can happen anyway). I feel very loyal to the B&B, known them for years, assume they will need to have people as they seem really worried on email. I know there will be all sorts of businesses that can't just hope for a better 2021 and keep trading including a big tourist attraction that has basically said it could go bust. But then also know there are signs up telling people to stay away in the area. Maybe that will change as there are still two months to go and I can understand people's worries but it feels uncomfortable to then head there potentially

She’s deluded. I know a couple of people who have gone to the Lakes for lockdown. Not saying that’s right but she can’t keep anyone out the silly bint.

So don’t go back. They aren’t going to miss you. The tourism trade won’t be affected by COVID because as soon as all rural places are open idiots will flock to them.

You NEVER hear Londoners complaining about 'outsiders' coming to our palaces, royal parks, local attractions etc.

Bahahaha, I am originally a Northerner, now in London and I now class myself as a Londoner because I inadvertently have a mind rant whenever tourists stop to look at maps at the top of the tube escalators. Lots of complaints from Londoners on tourists in all aspects of London life.

OP - is your cousin Cumbrian or has she moved up there? Because Cumbrians who rely on the tourist industry are not sharing that view from what I can see - those who have moved up there from the South do share that view.

My sister lives In a tourist village in the lakes. She said the locals have turned very suspicious and quite unpleasant to anyone they think isn't local. However the entire village relies on tourists. So they will have to relax a bit soon or they are in big trouble.

Lolz. It’s not up to them though is it - this shit is so annoying ! What if London Residents sad nobody from outside can come in - even for work 😂

YANBU. Her attitude is a bit Royston Vasey.

No-one's more NIMBY than the people who don't own the BY or run a business in it!

A lot of places hate tourists but rely on their £ etc. They must be feeling the effect of no tourists - both the good and bad.

I am sure Devon and Cornwall are saying the same!

She's a twat.

This attitude is why the airline industry has zero to worry about in the long term. Why stay here and give your money to bitter and resentful locals in the rain when you can get guaranteed good weather and a warm welcome abroad?

That seems a nasty way for her to speak to you. Funny thing is they'll be begging for tourists at some stage!

It sounds like people from tourist areas want their cake and to eat it too. If you don’t want tourists then don’t complain when it impacts your economy. Most people understand that it’s not right to possibly burden hospitals in tourist areas at this time. I’m guessing they wouldn’t like it if they were told to stay out of cities so as not to burden their hospitals.

I would find it hard not to laugh at the "We will decide whether or not to let people in" statement unless she works for the police or government and has powers to shut down the roads. Nobody is banned from driving to an English destination. The police stopped people driving to Brighton on the first weekend after rules were loosened as too many cars were heading there but it's not illegal.

Barrow in Furness has been the problem in the Lake District, they have had the virus badly due to their own environment and it would be somewhere that I wouldn't purposely visit for a while - not the other way around

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-barrow-cumbria-covid-infection-rates-cases-uk-a9516636.html

hardly anything to be smug about

I think all this is exposing the real attitudes of many people who live in tourism hotspots. They've obviously been resentfully taking tourists' money through gritted teeth for years.

I'm more than happy to give them all the space they say they so desperately need. Holidaying in the UK holds no appeal to me, will gladly stay at home until we can travel abroad again.

I live in a tourist area with a big theme park and a big castle, gets absolutely packed in the summer. I must admit I detest all the traffic, but it is what it is. People have just as much right to be here as I do.

Well I've booked a week in a hotel in August before lockdown, I'm expecting to be able to go by then. I agree they'll need the tourists back at some point. I thought it was Barrow skewing the figures for the county, as opposed to swathes of cases in the villages etc. I also agree on the NIMBY aspect.

Out of interest, does your cousin never go on holiday / travel herself - or is that ok ?

I'm with @Tellmetruth4. People will holiday abroad. It's not exactly cheap holidaying in the UK anyway.

There won't be any more EU grants for poorer areas and the tourist £££s will dry up. Not a great legacy for the youth in those areas.

I will add, Im not going anywhere in the UK for holiday or spending annual leave other than my own county and possible brush into the next one.

I don't live near the beach - intact more or less furtherest away.

I will though spend my annual leave or holiday in my own county and spend money on anywhere in my own county which is open and safe. I shall have days out, picnics, walking, cycling and possibly look for wild swimming and a bit of kite flying.

Im don't want or can't envisage warning to travel elsewhere as if im going to be sick I want to be at home, near to home and the same for my family - not in another town using another hospital when there is absolutely no need.

what everyone else does is their affair, but I can still think their mad to do so for many reasons

Yes, your cousin was rude. But I'm depressed by the entitled attitudes here. I agree. We superior people should be able to visit lovely isolated places no matter what havoc we cause.

Well that was nasty, she needs to remember how many of her neighbours rely on tourists. Having said that, I live in a sea side town, and the beaches and promenade were very crowded last weekend and yesterday. Worse still, they left mountains of rubbish behind them. Locals would love to turn them around at the stations, road blocks have been suggested. I tried to take my daily exercise there yesterday, but had to come home, just too risky. Annoying.

if they were to put up barriers etc they would probably find the police might have something to say (&maybe arrest them if they got "too proactive")
nb you stated" that when you were allowed to visit" - please note everybody