South West tourism gearing up for bumper year as hopes rise

Devon and Cornwall’s tourist industry is showing signs of optimism, with early indicators suggesting a potentially strong season ahead, say tourism boards.

Visit Cornwall and Visit Devon report encouraging booking trends, with a rise in day visitors.

There has also been a growing number of international tourists from North America, Canada, Japan, and India choosing the region as a destination.

Attractions like the River Dart Country Park near Ashburton in Devon are already seeing the benefits and are predicting a “bumper year”.

“Bookings are looking good for the summer,” said Roger Sell, who manages the park.

“Devon is looking great, and the site is ready. It’s definitely gearing up for what could be a bumper year.”

Official figures support this optimism.

Devon is estimated to welcome 868,000 visitors in the Whitsun week of 2025 – the week following Whit Sunday or Pentecost, which is on 8 June this year – a slight increase from 867,000 over the same week in 2024.

“Compared to last year, we’re up on numbers, which is great,” said Keith Southwell, who runs the heritage railway Lappa Valley Railway, near Newquay.

“The weather certainly hasn’t hurt either.”

A strong Easter period and extended spells of warm, dry weather have helped drive interest and bookings, particularly for the peak holiday months said tourism chiefs.

Sally Everton, from Visit Devon, said there had been a surge in overseas visitors, especially from Canada.

“Rather than heading to the US, many are looking at Europe, and we’re targeting them to come here,” she said.

“We’re also seeing a return of European tourists, and growing interest from India and Japan.”