Understand
Devon and Cornwall tourist attractions report mixed summer season due to hot weather
Overview
Bosses across Devon and Cornwall report that a hot summer provided a much-needed boost and improved visitor spending for many attractions, helping offset rising running costs following a difficult few years. However, experiences varied significantly: outdoor theme parks benefited from new investments and good weather, while some indoor and rainy-day venues, such as Bodmin Jail, experienced a decline in visitor numbers as tourists opted for beaches.
Key points
- A hot summer provided a much-needed boost for tourist attractions in Devon and Cornwall, improving spending and helping counter rising running costs.
- Crealy Theme and Resort Park in Devon reported a positive season following a £2m investment in new rides, though hot weather brought challenges like rides becoming too hot to use.
- The Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions noted a mixed start but a strong finish, with about seven in ten members reporting higher revenue than the previous year.
- Indoor and rainy-day attractions experienced contrasting fortunes; while the National Marine Aquarium saw visitors escaping the sun, Bodmin Jail reported a huge decline in numbers.
- Tourism bosses highlighted that economic uncertainty, rising staff bills, and a potential tourism levy remain greater concerns than changing weather patterns.