Cornwall Live readers have discussed a statement from an industry expert that tourism in the South West is experiencing its lowest level in a decade, with Cornish businesses giving their views on what needs to be done to turn things around.
Often celebrated as a prime place to stay and holiday, Cornwall has seen a boom in tourism recently. However, insiders suggest this trend may be changing. Readers have shared their thoughts in our comments section.
Tim Jones, chairman of the South West Business Council, told the BBC that businesses are facing ongoing challenges in staffing and footfall affected by the cost of living crisis. Local entrepreneurs have proposed several ways to boost trade, ranging from granting more small businesses, increasing economic stability and improving public transport links.
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Comment ang66 thinks: “The weather has a lot to do with it and it is also very expensive to come here. You can go abroad for much less and you are guaranteed sun.” inlikeflynn agrees: “Before June I could have gotten seven nights in Europe and/or Morocco for around £400, with flights. It needs to be planned, but it is achievable. £400 might get me a hotel room for four nights in Newquay.”
Captain Nick says: “We are currently on a campsite in Spain: first class camping pitches, huge swimming pools, free entertainment, excellent restaurant on site, electricity included €17 per night! Left Britain a month ago – camping site in Dorset, pitch and shower block £35 per night. Do you wonder why the British hospitality industry is doing so badly?!” Botcanu thinks the same: “Even a simple campsite has prices for a night rocket. Camping used to be a cheap way to spend a holiday, but not anymore.”
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KentuckyRain writes: “The market is changing: more use of campers, Airbnb and self-catering, less use of hotels and B&Bs. Pubs and restaurants have priced themselves out of business, partly because of their rising costs. Eating out with a family of four is extremely expensive, unless you go for fast food. Government at all levels increases those costs at any time. Look at the price of a week’s holiday anywhere in Britain versus a week abroad… and you can pretty much guarantee the weather there too. It’s a perfect storm.”
Dis1954 agrees: “Listening to the local news over the past year we have had many articles complaining about holidaymakers ruining certain resorts, building permits for hotels being rejected and now strangely enough people in the industry complaining about not being able to can provide for their livelihood. , unless of course we support them with subsidies. In that case your business model is broken: choose a reasonable hotel in say Newquay in July or August for a family of four, now do the same for a similar holiday in Greece or Spain and the price difference will surprise you.”
Don O’Treply thinks: “This is the perfect example of supply and demand in action. Huge demand and short supply have driven prices up so much in recent years that Cornwall has now effectively priced itself out of its own market and made other holidays more attractive. It will crash for a while and then bounce back. I’m not sure Visit Cornwall did Cornwall a favor when it said we needed fewer but more valuable tourists.”
Tiz me replies: “Well, given the prices charged after the lock-down and the fact that it was stated to be a matter of supply and demand, the lack of demand will certainly lead to a price reduction and thus a increase in the number of bookings???? ”
Baggyboatee suggests: “Visitors still want to come to Cornwall with us. Awesome! So companies should try to make more special offers, reduce prices here and there and visitors and locals can participate more.” Papa Smurf doesn’t think a decline is necessarily a bad thing for Cornwall: “Overtourism has to stop, it’s taking up almost all the housing so businesses can’t employ staff because there’s no place for staff to live.” Tourists who have no money to spend because they have been cheated by the high cost of accommodation are of no use to the local business community anyway.”
MeAgain103 blames the entrepreneurs: “You got what you wanted. All you guys do here is whine about people coming over and spending money. This year will be your hardest ever. Then let’s see what is said about this next year.”
happydaz has the final say: “Anyone would think that all the tourists are going to other places, no, they are still here in droves, actually a few entrepreneurs I know have had the best business in years so far this year, so That’s true, it’s not all that bad.”
What are your thoughts on this issue? Are you going on holiday to Cornwall this year? Have your say in our comments section.