Cornwall’s tourism chief has expressed the county’s determination to “bounce back” after a decade-low in visitor numbers last year. Jon Hyatt, who heads Visit Cornwall, acknowledged economic pressures but insisted that the tourism sector is committed to doing its best.
Speaking at a tourism summit in Truro, he praised Cornwall’s unique appeal but highlighted the need to navigate the current economic landscape and “substantial” cost burden. His comments follow those of Tim Jones, chair of the South West Business Council, who stated that tourism in southwest England was experiencing its lowest point in a decade.
UK Hospitality’s Chief Executive, Kate Nicholls, warned that upcoming tax increases from April could spell the end for some businesses. Under Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget changes, employers will face rising National Insurance contributions, an increased minimum wage, and altered business rates from April.
Ms Nicholls cautioned against balancing the country’s finances on the backs of small businesses in counties like Cornwall, warning of a “It will have a devastating impact.”
According to Cornwall Opportunities, tourism contributes 15% to Cornwall’s economy, with around four million overnight stays and 14 million day trips annually, reports the Express.
The sector reportedly generates £2 billion in annual visitor spending, supporting over 35,000 jobs.
Cornwall’s breathtaking coastline, idyllic beaches, and areas of outstanding natural beauty are major draws for visitors. Malcolm Bell, the former Executive Chairman of Visit Cornwall, shared with the BBC last year that a dip in tourism numbers could be attributed to poor weather, the general election, and the cost-of-living crisis.
Speaking to the broadcaster in October, he noted that while tourism typically experiences ups and downs, 2024 was “flat all the way through”. A Government spokesperson highlighted the importance of hospitality and tourism, stating: “Thriving hospitality and tourism sectors play a crucial role in growing the economy, as the UK was the seventh most visited country in the world in 2023.”
They added, “We have ensured that more than half of UK employers will either see a cut or no change in their National Insurance bill from April and are providing 40% business rates relief ahead of introducing a permanent, new lower business rate from 2026.”
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice.