Hope for tourism in Cornwall despite fall in visitor numbers
Tourism bosses are urging people to support local venues this Half Term
Last updated 17th Feb 2025
Tourism bosses say there's optimism despite falls in numbers putting pressure on a number of venues across Cornwall.
Today marks the launch of Back British Holidays, a national campaign from Out & About Live which calls for urgent support from the Government to reduce the rapid loss of visitor numbers within the UK domestic tourism industry and to safeguard the small businesses within.
Jon Hyatt, chair of Visit Cornwall, said: "For businesses and the visitor economy and every other sector is dealing with the huge impact of the budget, the NIC and the real living wage increase."
It's around three weeks after the Eden Project confirmed 80 job cuts in an effort to secure its long term economic stability.
A spokesperson from the Eden Project said: "The Eden Project is initiating proactive measures to ensure the long term economic stability of the organisation. We have explored every option and will create a new structure as a result of considerable economic challenges."
Jon added: "One one hand we've come off the back of a tough 2024 and making those restructures, like the Eden Project have had to do, is a burden we all have to bear unfortunately."
"Those tough decisions have to be made"
Other venues like Paradise Park say they're 'under pressure' as visitor numbers have fallen by 20 per cent since before the pandemic.
People across the Duchy are being encouraged to support local venues this Half Term, as tourism trade in Cornwall continues to struggle.
Jon added: "We have seen a number of businesses go under or cease trading as a result of lower footfall and economic conditions over the last couple of years but it just shows how important it is to keep adapting, keep moving forward, keep adjusting to what consumers want and being on the ball with their finances and their costs."
Cornwall's tourism chief previously told us he's expecting Cornwall to 'bounce back' after a challenging year in 2024.
A tourism summit held in Truro earlier this year discussed solutions, shared ideas and action plans between key organisations to boost tourism trade over the coming year.