Cornwall’s holiday industry sees tourism at ‘lowest point in 10 years’

An industry expert says tourism is at a ten-year low in the South West, as businesses in a Cornish holiday hotspot share what they believe needs to change to keep business growing. Often hailed as one of the country’s top staycation and holiday destinations, Cornwall has seen its share of tourist influxes in recent years – but according to those close to the industry, that could be about to change.

Tim Jones, chairman of the South West Business Council, told the BBC that businesses were facing ongoing challenges with staffing as well as visitor numbers affected by the cost of living crisis. Indeed, Newquay businesses have shared what they believe needs to change if things are to improve.

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Jon Hyatt, general manager of Hendra Holiday Park in Newquay, said the resort was anticipating a good summer season, with 3,500 guests expected for the site each night during the peak holidays.

Of his post-election hopes, he told the BBC: “What we would like to see is a return to economic stability and consumer confidence, overcoming the cost of living crisis and giving consumers the confidence to spend on that well-earned holiday.” “

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Alex Trumble runs Babel Fish English Language School in Newquay and says he would like to see more grants given to small businesses after the general election. He said the English teaching unit would then be able to advertise to more people internationally.

Jones added that around 17 per cent of pubs and restaurants in the region had closed and the sector “has gone from around £10bn to around £1bn at the moment”. This is in addition to him saying that tourism is at its “lowest point in 10 years”.

In Cornwall alone we have seen more closures due to the increased costs of running such businesses. Perhaps the most significant was the closure of four pubs in October.

Nelya Bradbury, who runs the Quies Hotel in the popular coastal resort, said bookings would increase if public transport was improved. As it stands, the only way to access Newquay by train is to change lines at Par.

She said: “For the business to work we have to be more than 90% occupied and we can’t drop the price below £100 a night or we don’t make any money.”

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