Cornwall’s head of tourism has said the county wants to “bounce back” after visitor numbers hit a 10-year low last year.
Jon Hyatt, who chairs Visit Cornwall, said challenges include economic pressures, but tourism chiefs are determined to do their best.
He said at a tourism summit in Truro that Cornwall is unique and has a fantastic offering. Still, the industry must navigate the current economic landscape and “substantial” cost burden.
His remarks, reported by the BBC, come after Tim Jones, who chairs the South West Business Council, said tourism in southwest England was at its lowest point in a decade.
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive at UK Hospitality, warned that tax increases from April will signal the end of the road for some businesses.
Under Chancellor Rachel Reeves‘ Budget changes, employers will see their National Insurance contributions rise, the minimum wage go up and business rates altered from April.
Ms Nicholls said the country’s finances could not be balanced on the backs of small businesses in counties such as Cornwall. She warned, “It will have a devastating impact.”
According to Cornwall Opportunities, tourism accounts for 15% of Cornwall’s economy, with some four million overnight stays per year and 14 million day trips.
It calculates that visitors spend £2 billion in the county annually, supporting more than 35,000 jobs in the sector.
Among its attractions, visitors are drawn to Cornwall’s stunning coastline, picturesque beaches and areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Malcolm Bell, former Executive Chairman of Visit Cornwall, told the BBC last year that a decline in visitors was the result of bad weather, the general election and cost-of-living crisis.
He told the broadcaster in October that there are often peaks and troughs in tourism, but 2024 was “flat all the way through”.
A Government spokesperson said: “Thriving hospitality and tourism sectors play a crucial role in growing the economy, as the UK was the seventh most visited country in the world in 2023.
“We have ensured that more than half of UK employers will either see a cut or no change in their National Insurance bill from April and are providing 40% business rates relief ahead of introducing a permanent, new lower business rate from 2026.”
This post was originally published on here
