Cornwall still open, say tourism chiefs
Tourism groups in Cornwall have been attempting to reassure visitors that Cornwall is still open for business.
With news bulletins still dominated by images of the devastating flash floods in Boscastle village, tourist boards report fielding hundreds of calls from worried tourists.
Tourism is Cornwall’s major industry and with many visitors being independent- in that they book accommodation, cars and activities separately- the industry is worried that visitors may stay away.
All of the Cornish tourism websites carry front page information about the floods, emphasising that they are localised and “the rest of North Cornwall remains open and safe to visit as does the rest of Cornwall and the South West.”
North Cornwall Tourism estimates that only 25 out of the 1600 accommodation providers in Cornwall are affected.
Around 30 per cent of all employment in Cornwall is tourist related, and in 2001 tourists poured £1,639,482,899 directly into the local economy. July and August is Cornwall’s peak tourism season.
Separately, the British Red Cross, in association with North Cornwall District Council, has launched an emergency appeal for victims of the flooding.
Angie Newing, British Red Cross Operations Director for Cornwall, said: “As an emergency response organisation the Red Cross has expertise in running fund raising appeals to help people cope in the aftermath of a disaster, like these dreadful floods. Many people have had their homes and businesses ruined which is why we are donating £10,000 from our own disaster fund to help people who have been affected by the floods”.
The money raised will be used to assist those who have suffered loss in the floods and restore and rebuild the affected communities.
