Reforging english countryside: ethnic inclusion

I have become increasingly interested in what I have heard of a project in the Lake District, where Authorities are attempting to change their systems so as to encourage more ethnic minority groups to visit. My initial reaction was that, surely the simple reason that they weren't visiting was because of their ethnic differences. In other words, they come from different backgrounds and grew up in different surroundings so they naturaly prefer their home landscapes to those offered in England. I have spoken to many Asians and heard of their ardent fervour for the landscape of their home lands. In India, I received the impression that there is a much higher percentage of rural living than in England, so this would also explain why they are not used to traveling any distance in order to appreciate their surroundings.

Having said all that I was pleasantly surprised to read the accounts written by people experiencing ethnic groups enjoyment of the Lake District and various other locations across England, during experiments carried out by the Mosaic Partnership.
It appears that these visitors greatly enjoyed their time in the English countryside and were encouraged by the freindship and hospitality that they found there.

However, while this project appears to be very successful, it is a shame that this success is not the driving factor in the actions to promote ethnic inclusion that are being undertaken by the authorities. It seemed that whilst they valued these experiments highly, they still considered it the best response, to shut down the current operating tourist guide systems and walks, in favour of creating a new system with an indefinate deadline. Naturaly there was huge uproar at this irresponsible decision and a "mystery sponsor came forward and pledged £38,000 to save the walks for the current year. This cash will provide "breathing space" so that more research can be done on attracting other groups, especially from ethnic minorities, into the area."

What was in some ways worse, is that they gave the reasoning for their decision, not as being the pressure they have received from the government to make financial cut-backs, but as being that the current facilities are aimed at the white middle classes. they are never going to solve any issues if they continue to include one ethnic group at the cost of another. Rather, they need to develop it to include both groups, and not issue exclusive rude statements like this: "Our open spaces should not be the preserve of just the Gore-Tex-clad, Volvo-driving middle classes"

It appears that the most definite conclusion to the experiments, is that in order to attract these groups, authorities must act to introduce them to these places and not just shut down all facilities, throw out some advertisements and hope they'll show up!

As beautiful as our countryside is, it is a real shame that our governing bodies are never quite up to the task of taking due responsibility for it. With the looming arrival of the Olympics in our fair country, one would think that preserving and expanding the tourism industry in one of our most famous natural landscapes would be paramount, and that their response to the given research would not be so narrow minded. The research says that ethnic minorities like the Lakes, so let's help them get the opportunity to like it some more, not close it down because they like it, but we dont know what to do about it!