TOURISM NEWS

INTERNATIONAL PUSH

Travel trade experts from around the world visited a selection of the UK’s top tourism destinations in March in a major push by VisitBritain to boost international visitor numbers.

Those from the USA headed to Cornwall for a three-day educational trip, taking in a selection of the best that we have to offer. The publicity around the G7 in St Ives last year is thought to have been pivotal in the choice of destination, which was driven by the operators themselves. The event was organised by VisitBritain, in conjunction with destination management companies such as Cornwall DMC and reinforced VisitBritain’s latest £10m marketing campaign, ‘Welcome to Another Side of Britain’.

GET ON ’YER BIKE!

A luxury Cornish hotel has teamed up with an electric bike rental which enables guests to explore the beauty of the county on two wheels. The Headland has joined forces with Penzance-based Ebike Cornwall to give visitors a different and eco-friendly way of seeing what Cornwall has to offer. Veryan Palmer, director of the five-star hotel in Newquay, said: “We’re thrilled to take receipt of the e-bikes because our beautiful county is also a very hilly one, so it will enable guests to cover many more miles when they are out and about exploring the stunning scenery. “The bikes also provide fantastic wellbeing opportunities for our staff and they are an important element of our agenda for sustainability and climate protection.” Ebike Cornwall will supply, maintain and insure the bikes for use by hotel staff and guests over the age of 14. It provides a full package of helmets, locks, panniers and pre-planned routes and itineraries from the hotel.

TOURISM FORTNIGHT SUCCESS

Businesses operating in the tourism and hospitality industry in Cornwall were provided with expert advice and information covering a range of key opportunities and threats to the sector during this year’s Visit Cornwall’s Tourism Fortnight. A total of 171 businesses took part in the four free to attend events that covered subjects including business operations, digital marketing, future markets, growth opportunities and sustainable and responsible tourism. Humphry Walwyn from Visit England presented the latest data that pointed to another busy year with UK tourists again looking to the south west with the region being overwhelmingly the most desirable destination.

Cornwall still holds a special place in the hearts of those from the Midlands, London and the south east, with those areas providing a large proportion of the visitors enjoy breaks in the far south west. Visit Britain’s Devki Patel highlighted that the international visitor market to the UK was finally remerging in force after Coronavirus curtail overseas travel.

Flight bookings have increased and remained strong even after the conflict in Ukraine began. However, forecasts show that it might take until 2025 for numbers to return to pre-covid levels. Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said: “The tourism and hospitality sector in Cornwall has had two years of highs and lows and the year ahead is likely to be much the same. Thanks to funding from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub, we were pleased to be stage these events to help businesses to take advantage of the opportunities and negotiate the challenges ahead.”

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust has celebrated 35 years since the first emergency helicopter service began in Cornwall – and the UK.

In 1987, Cornwall was the first county in the UK to launch an air ambulance helicopter, a vital service that has proven time and time again its importance in such a rural destination. Now, 35 years on, the crew are tasked to around 1,000 emergency missions every year, with more than 31,000 under their belts since the service was first launched.

In 2021 alone, critical care paramedics were called to 1,092 patients in need, attending everything from medical emergencies to trauma-related incidents across the county and beyond. Now, as the service enters its 35th year, the charity been busy planning for the future, ensuring the service continues to provide and serve the people of Cornwall at their greatest times of need. Part of this has included welcoming two brand new rapid response vehicles to the roster, with more plans in motion to extend the current airbase. It also comes after CAAT welcomed its new AW169 helicopter in 2020, following a huge public campaign which saw almost £3 million raised for the appeal, extending the hours the helicopter could fly. CEO Tim Bunting said: “There is no doubt that this lifesaving service is vitally needed in this county. But what’s more amazing is that it’s completely funded by the generosity of the people of Cornwall and beyond. “Without your support, our crew could not do what they do – help to save lives and keep more families together in Cornwall.”

AIR AMBULANCE MILESTONE

One of Cornwall’s leading holiday parks has completed a major refurbishment of its on-site restaurant and bar.

The Seahorse at Pentewan Sands, near Mevagissey, underwent extensive renovations after the park closed at the end of October 2021, and finally reopened in April, to showcase its new-look interior as the holiday season gets underway. Located acrossfrom the beach with stunning sea views across Mevagissey Bay, The Main Deck Restaurant and Bar has been given a complete makeover, reconfiguring the restaurant layout with new carpeted areas, partitions and booths. There is also a new pizza station. Tim Moorhouse, head of hospitality at Pentewan Sands Holiday Park, said: “Supporting local businesses and using locally grown produce whenever possible is hugely important to us, and we’re delighted to have worked with local contractors on this renovation, and to be championing a host of local food and drink suppliers now that The Seahorse is open again.” Contactors who helped deliver the renovation included Estuary Building & Plumbing Ltd, Nigel Dowrick Ltd and ASK Shopfitting Design.

RESTAURANT RE-FIT