Tough year for tourism as sun sets on peak season

The South West has had a "challenging year", tourism bosses said

For some businesses in Devon and Cornwall, the problems faced by the tourism industry this year are straightforward.

"People are not spending as much money," said Jamie Pearn, who runs the Cornish gift shop in Looe and normally sees buckets, spades and wetsuits flying off the shelves.

But last month's turnover was down by about 10% on previous years, he said.

"People are spending money to come down here, spending lots of money on accommodation, but then not so much on the extras," he said.

Shop owner Jamie Pearn said visitors were spending less on "extras"

According to industry leaders, South West tourism has had a "challenging" year due to cost of living pressures, the cryptosporidium outbreak in a part of south Devon and poor weather.

Sally Everton, director of Visit Devon, said "serious declines" in tourist numbers had been "devastating for a lot of our businesses".

Malcom Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said the Euros, an early general election and people returning to foreign holidays following the pandemic had also contributed to the 2024 season being "a bit up and down".

Looe fishmonger Sam Chapman said takings were down on last year even though his shop was busy

Sam Chapman, of Pengelly's Fishmongers in Looe, said "people are definitely holding back from spending".

"We're serving twice the amount of people for half the amount of money," he said.

"I think we're lucky to have visitors at the minute with everything that's going on."

Kevin Brain, from Wiltshire, said he cut back on spending during his holiday

Kevin Brain, who was visiting the town with his wife and four children from Wiltshire, said he had to cut back on spending during his holiday due to a squeeze on finances.

"It's been hard," he said.

"We've had to think about things we do such as taking picnics rather than eating out.

"I can understand why cafes and restaurants are struggling."

'Premium brand'

Mr Bell said "some businesses have coped and others have seen substantial declines" but he hoped the industry could "catch up in the autumn".

He said Cornwall was a "premium brand" and people who chose to take holidays abroad this year were doing so because they had "been restricted" in recent years, "not because they don't like Cornwall".

"They just want a change," he added.

Mr Bell said he expected "challenging times over the next 12 to 24 months" but he was confident the industry would recover.

'A lot of challenges'

Not all parts of the industry have suffered, however, according to Mrs Everton.

"Some holiday parks had very buoyant seasons, probably because their attractions are indoors," she said.

However, Mrs Everton said campsites, self-catering and serviced accommodation had all had "a lot of challenges".

She added: "We are hoping for an Indian Summer. When the sun comes out phones ring."

This year had seen a "return of international visitors, particularly North Americans", she said, adding: "When they come, they spend".

She also encouraged local visitors to "explore what's on their doorstep".

"Go to the attractions, go to the hospitality outlets, because they have really struggled this year," she said.