Meeting is 'reset moment' for tourism sector

A meeting to discuss what could replace Cornwall's tourism board is an "important reset moment" for the sector, a business owner has said.

Visit Cornwall went into voluntary liquidation in October due to "insurmountable financial problems".

Tourism businesses are set to meet on Tuesday at a summit held at the Eden Project to talk about the sector's future.

Laura Plum, from St Austell Brewer,y which is part of the summit, said it was a "real clear opportunity for businesses to reconnect over what comes next".

'Motivating and energising'

A spokesperson for Visit Cornwall previously said liquidation was "the only responsible choice".

Plum, who is part of a steering group for the tourism sector, said: "There's a feeling of positive optimism, but, similarly, intrigue as to what might come next.

"The tourism summit needs to play a really key role in motivating and energising the sector."

She said businesses in the sector would "need to put our hands in our pockets to collaborate over the future model".

"My understanding is the summit isn't going to have all the answers, so the idea of bringing the sector together is to really help encourage businesses to influence the future of Cornwall's destination strategy," she added.

"I think the reality is we, as a county, as a destination, we're needing to work harder for fewer visitors.

"Travellers preferences continue to evolve, there's essentially fewer people travelling to Cornwall.

"I think what's absolutely key is we create a united destination marketing organisation that will create more of a single trusted voice for Cornwall."

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