A COMBINATION of factors – from staggered half-term holidays to a mild autumn and fears of travelling abroad at the moment – have led to a boom in the local tourist industry.
Hotels have been reporting higher numbers of bookings than usual, while businesses have decided to stay open for an extra week or so because of varying dates for half term in different parts of the country.
The autumn boost is in marked contrast to fears at the beginning of the season that foot and mouth might see numbers of holidaymakers to South East Cornwall dropping off significantly.
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Peter Bishop, the chairman of the South East Cornwall Tourism Association (SECTA) said the very mild weather had undoubtedly helped bring in extra tourists, but he also felt the Eden Project exerted a big influence.
He said that although it might not be the sole reason for many to decide to spend their autumn break in Cornwall it was an extra attraction and served to be a big draw - putting the county on the map.
Half term holidays were also a bonus, bringing in families. He also felt the 'Back to the Countryside' promotions following foot and mouth had contributed as well.
Boom
Mr Bishop said that he had experienced the boom through running St Aubyn's, his eight bedroom guest house, but this was reflected in businesses elsewhere in the SECTA area.
Edward Bence, shareholder and managing director of three West Country hotels – the Hannafore Point at Looe, the Polurrian at Mullion and Berry Head at Brixham – said what had been a good summer was being reflected through to November.
He described it as a 'very good autumn' for business and said that there were few rooms available at any of the three hotels.
He felt there were a number of people who had decided to holiday in Cornwall and Devon, rather than flying abroad, because of the terrorist threat. The Hannafore, as well, had benefited from the Eden Project affect.
Looe Bay Holiday Park is staying open to November 3 – an extra week longer than usual because of the staggered half term factor, and other local businesses are likely to be keeping on staff for a further week to deal with the half-term rush. Edwina Arkell, chair of Looe, Polperro and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said there did seem to be more visitors around than usual. A number of holidaymakers had attended a Chamber quiz night at the Harbour Moon, which was quite unusual for this time of year - one couple from Sunderland and another from Newcastle. She does, however, feel that more wet weather facilities based on the culture and history of Looe should be provided - as Cornwall cannot guarantee constant sunshine as destinations abroad such as Spain and Portugal. She feels one sound idea would be a Looe Maritime Centre.
The feelgood factor also extends to the Liskeard area, where John Southern, who runs the Dobwalls Family Adventure Park, said the autumn had been more buoyant than they had been expecting.