Cornish holiday industry hit as tourism reaches the 'lowest point for 10 years'

Cornwall Live readers have been discussing a statement by an industry expert that tourism in the South West is experiencing its lowest levels in ten years, with Cornish businesses voicing their opinions on what needs to be done to turn things around.

Cornwall, frequently celebrated as a premier staycation and holiday spot, has enjoyed a surge in tourism lately. However, insiders suggest this trend may be shifting. Readers have been having their say in our comments section.

Tim Jones, chairman of the South West Business Council, told the BBC that firms were facing continuing challenges with staffing as well as visitor numbers being affected by the cost of living crisis. Local business owners have suggested various ways to boost trade ranging from awarding grants to more small businesses, increased economic stability and an improvement in public transport links.

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Commenter ang66 thinks: “The weather has a lot to do with it plus it’s very expensive to come here you can go abroad for far less and have guaranteed sun.” inlikeflynn agrees: “For June I could have got 7 nights in Europe and/or Morocco for about £400, with flights. Needs to be planned but it's doable. £400 may give me a hotel room for four nights in Newquay.”

captain nick says: “At the moment we are at a campsite in Spain: first-class pitching, huge swimming pools, free entertainment, excellent restaurant on site, electricity included €17 per night! Left the UK a month ago - site in Dorset a pitch and shower block £35 a night. Wondering why UK hospitality is having a bad time?!” Botcanu feels the same way: “Even a basic campsite has seen prices for a night rocket. Camping used to be a cheap way of holidaying but not now.”

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KentuckyRain writes: “The market is changing: more use of motorhomes, Airbnb and self catering, less use of hotels and B&Bs. Pubs and restaurants have priced themselves out of business, in part due to their soaring costs. Family of four eating out is hugely expensive unless you go fast food. The government at all levels increases those costs at every moment possible. Look at the price of a week's holiday anywhere in the UK versus a week abroad....and you can more or less guarantee the weather there too. It's a perfect storm.”

Dis1954 agrees: “Listening to the local news over the last year, we have had many articles bemoaning that holiday makers are ruining certain resorts, planning permissions for hotels are being turned down and now oddly people in the industry are complaining they cannot make a living, unless of course we support them with grants. In that case your business model is defective, pick any reasonable hotel in say Newquay in July or August for a family of four, now do the same for any comparable 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. Massive demand and short supply increased prices so much over the last few years that Cornwall has effectively now priced itself out of its own market and made other holidays more appealing. It’ll crash for a bit and then bounce back. I’m not sure Visit Cornwall did Cornwall any favours when it said we needed less but higher value tourists.”

Tiz me replies: “Well considering the prices that were charged post lock down and the fact that it was stated that it's a supply and demand issue surely the lack of demand will lead to a price reduction and therefore an increase in bookings????”

Baggyboatee suggests: “Visitors are still wanting to join us in Cornwall. Great! So businesses should try to do more special offers, reduce prices here and there and visitors and locals may partake more.” papasmurf doesn’t think that a decline is necessarily a bad thing for Cornwall: “The over tourism needs to stop, it is taking up nearly all of the housing, so businesses cannot get staff because there is nowhere for staff to live.” Tourists with no money to spend because they have been ripped off by the high cost of accommodation are of no use to local business anyway.”

MeAgain103 blames the business owners: “You’ve got what you wished for. On here all you all do is moan about people coming down and spending money. This year will be your hardest ever. Then let’s see what is said on here next year.”

happydaz has the final word: “Anybody would think that all the tourists are going to other places, nope they are still here in their droves, actually a few business owners I know have had the best trade in years so far this year so it isn't all that bad.”

How do you feel about this issue? Will you be holidaying in Cornwall this year? Have your say in our comments section.