Businesses join forces to debate future of tourism

More than 200 people attended a meeting to discuss what could replace Cornwall's tourism board.

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

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

Mark Lewin, director of Cornwall Hospitality Collective, said the summit's discussions "showed just how focused we all are on creating the conditions for the next generation to thrive here in Cornwall".

Councillor Sarah Preece, cabinet member with responsibility for tourism at Cornwall Council, said: "This is a huge moment for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

"It's so important that we listen to the businesses, associations, organisations and representatives from across the sector.

"The summit brought those voices together and marked a key milestone in our journey to determine what comes next."

She added next steps would now be looked at to "help the sector thrive for decades to come".

Andy Jasper, the Eden Project's chief executive officer, said the summit was "just the start of great things to come".

He said: "[It's] brilliant to see so many tourism-related businesses from across Cornwall come together to share ideas that are going shape the future of tourism in the region.

"It is clear that the knowledge and experience in the room, the collaboration, energy and desire to support one another is what will make this new entity in Cornwall become successful."

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