Devon tourism sector has 'mountain to climb'

Parts of the county including Brixham are experiencing lower visitors than normal, Visit Devon has said

Consistently good weather in recent weeks has helped bring more tourists to Devon but the sector still has a "mountain to climb", an industry chief has said.

Sally Everton, general manager of Visit Devon, said rain in the spring and the cost of living had contributed 10-15% decline in visitation on last year.

She said a spike in bookings on the back of warmer weather may be "too late" for some businesses to make up the deficit.

"People are still incredibly cautious [about spending money]," she said.

Visit Devon's Sally Everton said it would be a struggle for some businesses to make up lost earnings

Visit Devon said it was trying to tackle the issue by encouraging people who live within a "two-hour drive radius" to visit the county.

Mrs Everton said: "We are also targeting the locals - explore what's on your doorstep.

"There is so much to see and do - all affordable and some of it is free."

Nicki Badger, who runs a campsite in Devon, said it had been "a very slow start" to the season.

"The weather in April was just awful, we are all grass pitches so as soon as anything goes on there it just stinks," she said.

"In the last month, wow, what a difference."

Mrs Everton said Visit Devon had seen a "colossal difference" since the weather improved.

"It's amazing how the phone starts to ring as soon as the sun come out," she said.

"We estimate we are between 10 and 15% back year-on-year... in some areas of Devon it is slightly more than that because of the cryptosporidium situation that happened in Brixham... so we've got quite a big mountain to climb.

"It is too late in some ways."