Gordon Brown. Photo: World Economic Forum

If you’re strolling across the Lakeland fells this summer, you may spot a familiar figure – if tourism bosses have their way.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown was today invited to take his family holiday in the Lake District as a sign of support for Britain’s tourism industry. It is understood it would be the first such visit for the Fife MP since he took over as leader.

Suit-clad tourism chiefs found a foothold while tackling a climbing wall then took to the waters of Windermere to give a push to the area’s plans to claim the title of UK’s Adventure Capital.

Holidaymakers are increasingly taking breaks in Britain as economic uncertainty and a weak pound put paid to overseas trips. Last year, the Prime Minister and his family holidayed in the South-East. Cumbrian tourist bosses want to entice him to the Lake District to sample the outdoor delights of the area.

Ian Stephens, chief executive at Cumbria Tourism, who wrote inviting Mr Brown, said: “We would like to see the Prime Minister supporting the Northwest in 2009 by bringing his family to the region’s jewel in the crown and demonstrate to the nation the importance of holidaying at home during a downturn.

“The money spent by visitors in Cumbria is vital to the economy of the county and the tourism industry in the Northwest.  It is also one the most inspirational places for rest and relaxation so who knows, he could be inspired to solve a few national issues during his stay.”

Cumbria's tourism chief, Ian Stephens, (front) watched by commercial members' chairman Haydn Spedding, tackling the climbing wall at the Low Wood Watersports Centre. Photo: Steven Barber

Cumbria Tourism board members sampled some outdoor activities at the Low Wood Hotel Watersports Centre on the banks of Windermere. They took to a dragon boat, paddled a canoe and clipped into their harnesses to take to the climbing wall.

Local residents are also being urged to support the tourism industry by taking their vacations closer to home during the recession.

Mr Stephens said: “It is easy for people living in Cumbria to become complacent that we have one of the finest landscapes in the world on our doorsteps.

“We are one of England’s biggest counties so there are bound to be places in Cumbria that we’ve never visited, sights we have never seen, and things we have never done.”

The events marked the start of British Tourism Week.

Should the Prime Minister take up Mr Stephens’s invitation, he should be easy to spot on the fells: he’ll be the one taking calls on his BlackBerry, shuffling cabinet papers, surrounded by a posse of burly protection officers.