Tourists are attracted to National Parks and some people see it as an advantage of designation, that there may be economic benefits for some businesses. Extending the National Park is unlikely to lead to the extension areas being awash with a vast increase in tourists. However, other people see an increase in tourism as a negative factor. Designation in itself will bring no more money for tourism promotion, and tourism organisations such as Cumbria Tourism, local councils etc will choose to market areas currently outside the National Park whether the extension project goes ahead or not.

Linked but not necessarily the full cause, some people feel that more tourists will lead to more traffic congestion. Funding for sustainable and in particular rural transport is scarce. However, in 2012 the LDNPA launched a £7 million sustainable transport pilot in association with Cumbria County Council (http://www.golakes.co.uk/travel).The NPA encourages the provision and use of public transport and provides information on public transport services.  Although public transport timetables vary by season, with summer being better served than winter, National Park residents benefit from services that would be less good, or even might not exist, if there were less demand from visitors.  The better public transport generally available in National Parks when compared to other similar countryside which does not have a National Park Authority provides benefits both for promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Parks by the public but also for the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.