Voluntary liquidation of Cornwall tourism board due to its dire financial situation
Cornwall is the most southwestern region of England with the city of Truro being its administrative center. It is an important tourism destination, attracting 4.8 million overnight visitors per year who spend up to 2 billion £ per year.
However, Visit Cornwall, the official tourism board for the region, has entered voluntary liquidation after failing to overcome what it described as “insurmountable financial problems.”
The privately run body, long responsible for promoting Cornwall at home and abroad, said the decision followed a business review and organizational changes initiated in August. A spokesperson called the closure “an incredibly difficult decision” but said it was the “only responsible choice” before another round of membership fees was due in two months.
Board chairman Jon Hyatt said non-executive voluntary directors had worked “tirelessly, in an extremely challenging environment, to create a long-term sustainable future for Visit Cornwall.” Despite exploring “every avenue possible,” he said, the organization could no longer continue.
“We’re desperately disappointed to say that today Visit Cornwall is entering into voluntary liquidation,” Hyatt said. Grants from the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund had been “vital” to the board for the past four years. The fund ends in March 2026 with no replacement program announced.
Finding a replacement?
Alongside government grants, Visit Cornwall was funded by members and partners. The latter represented more than 500 businesses across the county. Hyatt said the closure could pave the way for a new model, one less reliant on public money. “We believe there is potential for a new organization based on membership and business income alone. And not reliant on grant funding,” he said.
The announcement has rattled Cornwall’s tourism and hospitality sector. Tourism employs thousands and represents the backbone of the local economy. Kevin Georgel, chief executive of St Austell Brewery, described the news as “deeply concerning”. He warned it marked “a critical moment for Cornwall’s visitor economy.”
“The loss of Visit Cornwall comes at a time when the sector is already facing unprecedented challenges. Such as falling visitor numbers, rising costs, and the closure of iconic attractions and venues,” Georgel said.
Cornwall Council said it would act quickly to stabilize the situation. Councillor Sarah Preece, portfolio holder for Tourism, Localism and Planning, vowed to bring together partners and stakeholders.
“Tourism is at the heart of our economy, supporting jobs and communities,” Preece said. “We will now move quickly to listen, work with the sector, and safeguard the future of Cornwall’s visitor economy.”
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