Easter looking fragile for tourism in Devon and Cornwall, operators say

A weather phenomenon is disrupting trade winds globally

Tourism in Devon and Cornwall this Easter is looking "fragile" and "challenging" due to the forecast wet weather, organisations have said.

Sally Everton, from Visit Devon, said the number of overnight visitors was "looking light" over the long weekend.

Malcolm Bell, from Visit Cornwall, said visitor numbers were expected to be down on 2023 due to a number of factors.

A weather phenomenon called El Niño is disrupting trade winds globally.

It has led to milder and wetter conditions across the UK.

Sunshine needed

Mr Bell said late or last-minute bookings would most probably "not occur" as Easter was earlier in the year than in 2023.

He said the weather was also a factor.

"It's just going to be an OK Easter, not a good Easter, but not a bad Easter either," he added.

Ms Everton said a spike in sunshine would help drive bookings.

"It's still looking fragile," she said.

"There's some key bits that are looking good... but staying visitors is looking light.

"We've had very late lead in for the last couple of years. We're seeing bookings for this week coming this week, which causes real problems with staffing and food and drink."