UK Holiday Tourism Enters a New Era as Exmouth Park Seeks Longer Operations Beyond Traditional Summer Months

Written By: Boby Dey

Boby Dey

A Passionate travel writer at Travel And Tour World with a strong interest in global tourism, destination storytelling, and the ever-evolving travel industry. Dedicated to creating well-researched, engaging, and informative content that highlights emerging travel trends, tourism developments, airline and hospitality news, cultural experiences, and must-visit destinations from around the world.

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September 5, 2026 2:19 PM

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Exmouth Devon Cliffs Holiday Park wants to prolong its open season to attract more tourists and boost the UK’s economy.

Devon Cliffs Holiday Park in Exmouth wants to extend their season to help the UK economy by getting more visitors to come in winter and help boost the tourism industry with their long stay in the Devon countryside. Devon Cliffs have now applied to open from 1st February to 14th January, and by doing this it will enable them to take advantage of the February half-term school holiday, as well as helping to boost tourism in the region.

The proposal reflects a wider shift across the UK holiday industry, where coastal destinations are working to reduce dependence on peak summer travel and attract more visitors throughout the year. By extending its opening calendar, Devon Cliffs aims to support employment, strengthen local businesses and contribute to the wider tourism economy.

Exmouth Holiday Park Targets Longer Season to Capture New Visitor Demand

Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, located in Sandy Bay, Exmouth, has applied to extend the number of weeks it operates each year. The proposed change would allow the park to open earlier in February and remain available for guests for a longer period.

Currently, the holiday park begins its main season on February 28, meaning it misses the first school holiday period of the calendar year. The proposed February 1 opening date would allow the park to welcome families and travellers during the February half-term break, creating an additional opportunity to attract holiday demand.

The application does not include any plans for new construction, redevelopment or additional facilities. The proposal is focused only on extending the existing operating period and making greater use of the current holiday park infrastructure.

Established in the 1970s, Devon Cliffs has become an important holiday destination along the Devon coastline. The extended season plan is designed to strengthen the business while providing additional benefits for the local tourism sector.

UK Coastal Tourism Moves Beyond Summer With Year-Round Growth Strategy

The proposed expansion reflects a major trend emerging across the UK tourism industry. Coastal destinations have traditionally depended heavily on summer visitors, with many areas experiencing significant seasonal changes in visitor numbers.

However, tourism businesses are increasingly focusing on extending the “shoulder seasons” — the periods before and after the busiest summer months. Encouraging visitors during spring, autumn and early-year holidays has become a key strategy to create a more balanced tourism economy.

A longer operating season allows destinations to attract different types of travellers, including families looking for school holiday breaks, couples seeking quieter coastal escapes and visitors interested in exploring destinations outside peak periods.

For Devon, where tourism plays a central role in the local economy, extending the visitor season could help generate more consistent business activity. Increased visitor numbers during quieter months can support nearby attractions, shops, transport services and other tourism-related businesses.

The move also reflects changing travel patterns, with many holidaymakers now looking for more flexible travel options beyond traditional summer holidays.

Devon Cliffs Expansion Plan Aims to Support Jobs and Local Economy

The holiday park’s operator has highlighted the importance of extending the operating period to support employment and economic activity in the region.

Holiday parks play a significant role in coastal communities by creating jobs and bringing visitors who contribute to local spending. More visitors outside the peak summer season can help businesses maintain stronger year-round operations.

The operator manages a large network of holiday parks across the UK and employs thousands of people across its operations. Millions of holidaymakers visit these destinations every year, generating economic benefits for both the parks and surrounding communities.

The extended season proposal is expected to provide additional opportunities for tourism-related businesses by increasing visitor numbers during periods that are traditionally quieter.

A longer operating calendar could also help reduce seasonal employment challenges by allowing more tourism jobs and services to continue for an extended period.

Winter Tourism Growth Could Transform Devon Holiday Experiences

If approved, the longer opening schedule would give travellers more opportunities to experience Devon outside the peak summer season.

Devon is known for its coastline, natural landscapes and seaside attractions, making it a destination that can appeal to visitors throughout the year. Winter and early spring travel can offer a different experience, with quieter surroundings and more relaxed exploration opportunities.

The extended season would allow holidaymakers to plan breaks around additional school holidays and flexible travel periods. It could also help attract visitors who prefer travelling outside the busiest months.

For holiday operators, longer opening periods provide a way to respond to evolving consumer behaviour. Modern travellers increasingly seek shorter breaks, flexible dates and experiences that are not limited to traditional holiday seasons.

Devon Cliffs proposal highlights how tourism businesses are adapting to these changes by creating more opportunities for year-round travel.

Longer Opening Period Could Strengthen Devon Tourism Future

The expansion plan comes as destinations across Devon continue efforts to increase visitor numbers throughout the year.

Seasonal tourism remains one of the biggest challenges for many coastal communities. While summer months often bring strong visitor demand, winter periods can see reduced economic activity.

By extending holiday seasons, destinations can create a more sustainable tourism model with steadier visitor flows and stronger support for local businesses.

A longer operating period at Devon Cliffs could help strengthen Exmouth position as a year-round holiday destination while supporting the wider Devon economy.

The proposal demonstrates how the UK holiday sector is evolving, with businesses moving beyond traditional summer-only operations and exploring new ways to attract visitors throughout the year.

Exmouth Holiday Park Signals New Direction for UK Holiday Tourism

Devon Cliffs Holiday Park’s push for extended operations represents a wider transformation taking place across the UK travel industry.

The move aims to capture additional holiday demand, support local employment and provide more opportunities for travellers to enjoy Devon throughout the year.

If approved, the extended opening schedule could mark a significant step forward for Exmouth tourism sector, helping create a stronger year-round visitor economy.

Exmouth Devon Cliffs Holiday Park is reshaping UK holiday tourism by seeking longer operations beyond summer, aiming to attract winter visitors, protect jobs and boost Devon’s year-round economy.

The proposal reflects a growing belief within the holiday industry that the future of tourism will depend not only on attracting more summer visitors but also on creating attractive travel opportunities across every season.