New start touted for tourism after board collapse

A councillor has said she hopes the tourism industry will be "re-invigorated" after Cornwall's tourism board went in to liquidation.

Councillor Sarah Preece, Cornwall Council's portfolio holder for tourism, said the demise of Visit Cornwall had been difficult but there was now an opportunity for "Brand Cornwall to be writ large".

A spokesperson for Visit Cornwall said the liquidation decision taken in October had been due to "insurmountable financial problems".

More than 200 members of the tourism industry, including representatives from Visit England the the South West Tourism Association, are set to debate new models to replace Visit Cornwall at a conference at the Eden Project on Tuesday.

Ahead of the conference, Preece said: "We're not looking for a decision.

"The sector is coming together to work out what comes next."

She said that, since Visit Cornwall went in to liquidation, she had seen "incredible energy and optimism" from tourism businesses.

"I think everyone thinks what we're going to do next will be extraordinary for Cornwall," she added.

She said the main question which needed to be answered was how to make sure "Brand Cornwall stands out in the marketplace".

Preece said a new visitor destination management company would need a strong value proposition so members would know what they would get for the money they paid in to it.

"You need measurable outcomes, really good business-led governance, good insights and data and lots of support for small businesses," she added.

Veryan Palmer, the owner of the Headland Hotel and Spa in Newquay, said the loss of Visit Cornwall had initially been "a blow for our sector" but that tourism-related businesses were now working together.

She said: "We've suddenly got a lot of different areas of hospitality and the visitor economy in Cornwall, from attractions to hotels, campsites and caravan touring parks, all coming together to really work together.

"And, when that happens, phenomenal things can take place."

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