The Perfect Storm Devastating Businesses in Devon and Cornwall

Image Name: Coastline of Devon Cornwall

Businesses in Devon and Cornwall are facing major difficulties as the peak travel season ends, which many define as one of the roughest years in recent memory for the tourism sector in the area. Many local companies are finding it difficult to survive as a result of a perfect storm created by declining consumer spending, bad weather, and epidemic aftereffects.

One result of people spending less money that small business owners in Devon and Cornwall have seen right away is a drop in sales. Jamie Pearn, who runs a gift shop in Looe, Cornwall, saw a big drop in sales. Last month’s sales were about 10% less than the same month last year.

“People are spending loads of money on lodging, but then not so much on the extras,” said Pearn. “They’re coming this way.” Other local business owners who have seen a clear drop in sales of gifts and leisure gear as tourists cut back on spending because of rising living costs have also noticed the same thing.

Business executives from South West think this year has been particularly challenging. According to Sally Everton, director of Devon, “severe declines in visitors have been devastating for a lot of our businesses.”

A mix of economic pressures—including the ongoing cost-of-living crisis—along with outside occurrences like the cryptosporidium outbreak in South Devon has significantly impacted visitor counts. Chief executive of Visit Cornwall, Malcom Bell, also highlighted additional elements causing the unequal visitor season: the European football championships, an early general election, and a comeback in overseas tourism following the epidemic.

The difficulties have been especially more noticeable for companies like Pengelly’s Fishmongers in Looe. Running the store, Sam Chapman saw that the average spend per customer has dropped noticeably even as they are servicing more people. Chapman said, stressing the challenges many local companies are having keeping profitability: “We’re serving twice the amount of people for half the amount of money.”

Area visitors are likewise experiencing financial difficulty. Kevin Brain, who was visiting Cornwall with Wiltshire-based relatives, reported that financial constraints forced them to cut back on holiday expenditure. Brain remarked, “It’s been tough.” “We have to consider our activities, like choosing picnics over dining out. I can see why eateries and cafes find themselves in trouble.

Though the crisis exists, the sector nevertheless shows some hope. Malcom Bell underlined that some companies have suffered greatly while others have been able to handle the difficulties. Given Cornwall’s reputation as a “premium brand” destination, he still hopes the sector can show some revival in the next months.

Bell observed that many visitors who chose overseas travel this year did so not because they lacked interest in Cornwall but rather because they sought a change following several years of limited travel choices because from the epidemic. Although he admitted that the travel sector would have “challenging times over the next 12 to 24 months,” he voiced hope for its ultimate comeback.

This demanding year has not had the same effects on the travel industry everywhere. Sally Everton says certain vacation parks—especially those with indoor attractions—have had really good seasons. On the other hand, campsites, self-catering homes, and serviced hotels have had very challenging times.

Everton voiced hope for an Indian Summer, implying that better weather could yet support commercial growth. She also underlined the return of foreign guests, especially from North America, who usually spend more and hence help the local economy.

Given the continuous difficulties, Everton also urged local people to support the struggling businesses in the area and investigate the attractions right at their doorstep. “Go to the attractions, go to the hospitality outlets, since they have really struggled this year,” she advised, stressing the need of local tourism in sustaining the region’s economy.

The tourism business in Devon and Cornwall looks precarious as the peak season finishes. For the region’s enterprises, the mix of economic pressures, bad weather, and a return to international tourism has presented formidable difficulties. Resilience and support will help the sector, nonetheless, to bounce back and keep growing in the next years.

This story was originally featured in BBC