Devon and Cornwall are two of the UK’s top staycation spots however tourism numbers have plummeted this year thanks to holiday makers favouring cheap package trips abroad.
And now businesses are gearing up for the August Bank Holiday which could be the “last big pay day before Christmas” for tourism businesses, according to a regional industry expert.
Tim Jones, chairman of the South West Business Council, said it was a chance to put “some decent cash in the bank”.
Devon and Cornwall have seen a 10-15% decline in visitation on last year with the high cost of living and bad weather conditions also proving costly.
Mr Jones said the bank holiday was “hugely important”, adding “if we get a decent weather window” it could be a “big cash generator for businesses who’ve been struggling for the last nine to 12 months”.
Visit England predicts 11 million people are planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK this weekend, bringing an estimated £3.1bn boost to the economy.
Visit Devon estimates tourism is worth about £2.5bn to the county’s economy each year.
For Cornwall that figure is £2bn, according to Visit Cornwall.
Mr Gregory, vice chair of Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce, added a busy bank holiday would benefit all businesses from “hotels to guesthouses and shops”.
Last week Express.co.uk exclusively revealed that Devon businesses are just “hanging by a thread”.
Paul and Andrea Humphries, owners of Cafe Collective in Bideford said: “We haven’t had a good summer and I don’t feel that it has been for most, we’re just hanging on.
“I think that the local councils need to do more to support local shopping and high streets. We do not fall into the bracket of paying business rates or vat so any help with that does not help really small businesses.”
Whilst Ms Anderson told Express.co.uk: “I think the tourism industry in Devon may be struggling as it is just so expensive, it seems now that going abroad can be cheaper than a week away in Devon.
“I recently visited Salcombe for my birthday and the hotel cost would have been out of budget for a family holiday, I could only afford one night for a special occasion.”
In an aim to entice tourists back, Visit Devon is trying to encourage people who live within a “two-hour drive radius” to visit the county.