Missing tourists cost Cornwall and Devon £1bn but locals insist 'no need to panic'

Cornwall and Devon is being rocked by a ten -year low in tourism, according to experts - but tourist company owners say things are "rosy".

Tim Jones, chairman of the South West Business Council, revealed that the cost of living crisis was crippling visitor numbers as well as recruitment issues impacting business’s ability to run smoothly.

Business owners across the area, however, say that there’s no need to panic just yet - with one saying customers are flocking from overseas and another insisting that tourism is booming.

Mr Jones previously told the BBC that around 17 percent of pubs and restaurants in the region have closed down and the sector has lost about £1bn from its yearly £10bn tourist trade.

But Emma Russell, who is managing director at the Alfa Leisureplex Group Limited which runs coach tours across the area as well as owning a number of hotels including in Torquay, Exmouth and Ilfracombe, disputed the grim prognosis.

She said: “Not at all! And actually our staffing has been much better.

“During the pandemic the whole industry took a hit and we also had Brexit to contend with. But we are seeing a record number [of tourists] this year.”

However, Emma explains that the luxury market may suffer more as her business offers good value for those who need to keep a close eye on their outgoings.

She said: “We are good value for money and not as much affected. We have seen solid year on year growth and it all looks rosy and healthy for us."

Raoul Fraser is the founder of Lovat Parks in Cornwall who says that his bookings are very slightly down on last year - currently by around four percent - but it’s more to do with the unreliable weather rather than anything else.

He said: “The weather hasn’t helped. I have to say I don’t think tourism is the worst it’s been in ten years.

“We had the Covid bounce in 2021/2022 and last year and this year, it has been a bit slower.”

However Raoul believes that because of the weather people are leaving their bookings until the last minute.

He added: “We saw a big uplift in bookings last week.”

Elsewhere, Alex Graeme has run Unique Devon Tours for 11 years - and he says there is still a huge demand for trips to the area, particularly for customers from overseas.

He said: “Ninety-nine percent of my customers come from overseas unlike many of the businesses around here such as accommodation and attractions which rely on the domestic market.

“I’m in a lucky position as my customers are not impacted by the cost of living crisis as more often than not they’re from the USA.

“However I am hearing from accommodation providers that it is pretty weird this year.”

Meanwhile a tourism boss has backed the idea of a tax for holidaymakers coming to Cornwall - but says Devon would need one as well.

Malcolm Bell, Chief Executive of Visit Cornwall, admits the idea of implementing a tourist tax upon visitors to the area is a concept he can "certainly envision" in the future.