'Green shoots' visible for region's tourism

There are "green shoots of optimism" for tourism in Devon and Cornwall - despite many of the regions' top attractions failing to match pre-pandemic visitor numbers.

Figures from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) showed out of the 12 top sites in the counties, only three - Haldon Forest, St Michael's Mount and Tintagel Castle - had more visitors last year compared to 2019.

Tate St Ives had the largest drop compared to 2019 with a decrease of 37% while Saltram in Plymouth and the Eden Project, near St Austell, were down 34% and 33% respectively.

But Jon Hyatt, chairman of Visit Cornwall, said many sites remained positive going into the Easter and summer periods.

"I think the green shoots are definitely there, February half-term numbers [are] looking strong, consumer spend [is] up...certainly the Visit Cornwall website is seeing records numbers in interest and traffic," he said.

"Members are reporting, yes, things aren't flying, but positivity is there compared to a tough 2024."

In 2024, The Eden Project - which was the most visited site in Devon or Cornwall - had 673,625 visitors, a drop of 6% compared to 2023.

But a spokesperson for the attraction said: "We've carried positive momentum into 2025, with February half-term seeing 27% more visitors than last year.

"We are confident that this strong start is a positive indicator of the year ahead for us and the rest of the tourism sector."

Elsewhere, St Michael's Mount and Tintagel Castle also saw a drop in visitors of 2% and 3% respectively.

However, Haldon Forest and Cardinham Woods - the second and fifth most visited sites across the two counties - both had annual increases, with rises of 10% and 14%.

RHS Garden Rosemoor, the sixth most visited site, reported a slight increase from 237,660 visitors in 2023 to 238,030 last year.

Mr Hyatt said while there had been casualties, new attractions would open in 2025.

He added: "Now more than ever before, [consumers are] looking for authentic and unique experiences, it's not so much about getting an Instagram shot anymore, it's about a true experience that they couldn't have anywhere else.

"We have got a thriving attraction sector and we have shown a lot of investment and committed to that change in consumer demand."

ALVA director Bernard Donoghue said the effect of the cost-of-living crisis on consumer spending in addition to increasing business costs and "modest" visitor numbers to the UK generally meant 2024 was a year of "steady but not significant" growth.

He said the "long economic recovery" from pandemic lockdowns was still having an effect on numbers and increases to the national minimum wage and national insurance costs had led to job losses and cuts at attractions.

Mr Donoghue added: "The recovery of visitor attractions and the broader cultural and heritage economies remains fragile but visitors have shown that in their leisure spending they still prioritise day trips to loved attractions.

"They are keeping up their memberships of favourite organisations and they value spending special time with special people in special places."

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