Cornwall’s Tourism Summit: What Was Discussed and Who Was There?

Published On: 30 January 2025Last Updated: 30 January 2025By CornishStuff

Cornwall’s tourism sector came together for the Visit Cornwall Tourism Summit, which took place on 15th and 16th January 2025 at the Alverton Hotel in Truro. The event, attended by 400 industry professionals, featured a lineup of influential speakers, panel discussions on key challenges and opportunities, and networking sessions.

Photo: Attendees on day one of the Visit Cornwall Tourism Summit

Key Topics and Industry Experts

Discussions at the summit covered a range of topics, including:

Achieving a net zero visitor economy
Analysing recent data and tourism trends
Government priorities for the sector
The role of AI in tourism
Expanding travel trade opportunities

Speakers included Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain / VisitEngland, Kate Nicholls OBE, CEO of UKHospitality, Simon Calder, travel journalist and broadcaster, Tom Chartres-Moore, Partner at Stephens Scown, and Nick Hall, Founder of Digital Tourism Think Tank. Other industry experts also shared insights, contributing to a thought-provoking agenda.

Jon Hyatt, Chair of Visit Cornwall, said:

“The return of the Visit Cornwall Tourism Summit has once again highlighted the strength and resilience of our tourism sector. Bringing together such a diverse and influential group of professionals and aspiring talent is key to shaping the future of tourism in Cornwall. We are immensely grateful to our speakers, sponsors, and attendees for making this event a resounding success.”

Photo: Q&A Panel with Patricia Yates (VisitBritain/VisitEngland), Cllr Louis Gardner (Cornwall Council), Kate Nicholls OBE (UKHospitality) and Madeleine Cullum (DCMS)

Supporting the Next Generation

As part of efforts to encourage careers in tourism, students from Truro High School and Truro College attended the event, gaining first-hand insight into the industry’s opportunities.

Sponsorship and Funding

The event was supported by several key sponsors, including:

Isles of Scilly Steamship Group
Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Hub
PKF Francis Clark
Cornwall Airport Newquay
National Trust
Hiyield
Land’s End Landmark
St Austell Printing Company
Healeys Cyder Farm

Additional thanks were given to Clockwork Audio Systems, Arianna Fenton Photography, and Daphne Skinnard for their contributions. The summit was also part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Photo: Daphne Skinnard hosted Simon Calder for a question and answer session

Major Announcements from the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group was the lead sponsor of the event, with CEO Stuart Reid speaking about their investment in transport connectivity for the Isles of Scilly.

“We are proud to have been the lead sponsor of Visit Cornwall’s Tourism Summit, an event that brought together a wealth of expertise and forward-thinking ideas from across the industry.

“It was a privilege to share insights about the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, including our exciting new vessels project which will see the introduction of a new passenger ferry, Scillonian IV, and a new cargo ship, Menawethan, by 2026. This represents a significant investment in the future of transport connectivity and tourism for the Isles of Scilly.

“Events like this highlight the collective ambition within the industry to drive change and deliver outstanding experiences for visitors and residents alike.”

With Cornwall’s tourism sector facing both challenges and opportunities, the summit provided a valuable space for industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and plan for the future.