MBE award for stalwart in Cumbria’s tourism industry

One of the best-known figures in Cumbria’s tourism industry, Jim Walker, has been recognised with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024.

The Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) is being awarded to Jim for services to tourism.

President of Cumbria Tourism, Jim Walker has built his reputation in travel and tourism over more than 40 years, with a series of wide-ranging Chief Executive, Managing Director and Chief Officer roles in both the public and private sector.

Part of Cumbria Tourism’s Board for 12 years – including a stint as interim Managing Director and later Chairman.   

He is the Founder Chair of the Eden Tourism Network and a previous recipient of both ‘Tourism Personality of the Year’ at the 2022 Cumbria Tourism Awards and the ‘Lifetime Contribution to Cumbria’ award at the in-Cumbria Business Awards. For the last 22 years Jim has been employed by the Lake District Estates Group based in Kendal.