“We need to recognise that the South West has a considerable reliance on the tourism industry, and in order to continue calling the area home, at least for a few weeks a year, we need to welcome the crowds,” he said, adding that inflation has put a strain on wages and expenses in 2023, making it hard to keep room ...

Cornwall is profoundly dependent on tourism, which serves as the backbone of its local economy. In 2026, the industry is worth over £2 billion annually and supports roughly 1 in every 3 jobs in the county. Without visitors, many coastal villages would face economic collapse, and the region's famous hospitality, arts, and heritage sectors would be unsustainable. However, there is a growing "over-tourism" tension: locals often struggle with high housing prices driven by second homes and the seasonal strain on infrastructure. To address this, Cornwall has shifted its strategy in 2026 toward "Sustainable Year-Round Tourism," encouraging visitors to explore in the "shoulder seasons" (spring and autumn) to provide a steady income for businesses without overwhelming the beaches in August. Basically, Cornwall needs the money from tourism, but it is working hard to better manage the volume of tourists.