Tourism Crisis in Cornwall and Devon: Visitor Attractions Face Uncertain Future, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on October 28, 2025

Like the rest of England, the South West of England tourism sector is having a difficult year. The high costs of maintaining tourist attractions are causing stress to proprietors and employees. If businesses do not respond to the challenges they may have to shut down. For Rick Turner, “It has been a rollercoaster year,” he says, alluding to the unpredictability of the climate where costs of running the business balloon and visitation potential remains uncertain. Turner also chairs the board of Devon’s Top Attractions. Many businesses are responding to loss and shrinking market conditions. Demand is so weak some attractions have shut down.

High Operating Costs Weigh on Small Attractions

Visitor attractions, particularly smaller ones, are struggling with the rising costs of utilities, wages, and supplies. Michelle Palmer, keeper at Porfell Wildlife Park and Sanctuary, voiced her worries about the skyrocketing electricity bills, which could reach as high as £3,000 per month during the winter. “It’s scary,” Palmer admitted, referring to the financial challenges faced by smaller operations. Many of these businesses rely heavily on seasonal income to survive, and with winter approaching, they are anxiously looking at their dwindling cash flow.

The closure of Axe Valley Wildlife Park earlier this month serves as a stark reminder of the precarious position of many attractions. After 17 years of operation, the park blamed the “difficult” economic climate for its decision to shut down. This closure, along with job losses at prominent attractions like The Eden Project, has sparked fears of more shutdowns across the region.

Tourism Economy Facing Tough Times

For the tourism industry, the economic downturn is especially concerning. Many tourist attractions depend on a steady stream of visitors to maintain their operations, and with prices climbing, it is becoming increasingly difficult for families to justify the cost of a day out. The combined pressure of rising energy bills, higher wages, and increased National Insurance contributions has placed attractions in a tough spot.

In Devon and Cornwall, where tourism plays a major role in the local economy, the crisis is being felt particularly hard. Attractions are not just struggling with costs; they are also battling against changing visitor patterns. With fewer people willing to spend on family trips, businesses are facing reduced footfall. As Rick Turner points out, the traditional model of year-round operations may no longer be viable for many. “Attractions need to look at how they reduce their costs, reduce their staffing, look at which days they are open,” he said, acknowledging that drastic measures are necessary to survive.

The Future of Zoos and Wildlife Parks at Risk

The future of iconic zoos and wildlife parks in the region is also uncertain. Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo, both major attractions in Cornwall, are up for sale. These closures or ownership changes could have serious repercussions for the local tourism industry, as they are among the top draws for visitors. The potential loss of such high-profile attractions could result in a sharp decline in tourism numbers, further exacerbating the financial strain felt by local businesses.

Kelly Grigg, owner of the Cornish Bird of Prey Centre, is one of many operators who faces the difficult task of making ends meet. “Everything is going up—the electric, the rates, the water,” she said, describing the escalating costs of maintaining a visitor attraction. Her business, which houses more than 100 birds, as well as alpacas, ducks, and geese, requires constant financial input to stay operational. With the winter months approaching, when visitor numbers tend to drop, Grigg is particularly worried. “Half term is really important, as it’s the last bit of money we’ll get before we close for the winter,” she explained.

Impact on the Visitor Experience: A Shift in Focus

The economic climate is not only impacting the survival of these attractions but also the quality of the visitor experience. As businesses face increasing pressure to reduce costs, the focus has inevitably shifted. Some attractions, like The Eden Project, have resorted to cutting jobs in an attempt to stabilize their finances. Eden Project CEO Andy Jasper acknowledged the difficult decisions that had to be made but stressed the importance of maintaining a world-class visitor experience. “We’ve had a very strong Easter and a very strong summer,” he noted, pointing to the efforts to enhance the plant collections, events, and visitor facilities that continue to draw large crowds.

However, for smaller businesses, achieving this balance is more challenging. For many, the days of offering expansive, all-year-round experiences are no longer possible. Attractions are being forced to rethink their operations, streamline staff, and cut back on overheads just to keep their doors open. In some cases, this means closing for the winter or reducing their opening hours, making it harder for families to plan visits around seasonal closures.

Adaptation: The Key to Survival

The survival of these attractions hinges on their ability to adapt to the changing economic landscape. As businesses grapple with rising costs and fluctuating visitor numbers, the need for innovation and agility has never been greater. For Rick Turner, the message is clear: only those attractions that are willing to rethink their models and adjust to the new reality will endure. “The old model isn’t going to work in the future,” he warned.

As the sector braces for a tough winter, tourism experts believe that some attractions will be forced to close permanently if they cannot adapt quickly enough. The situation is particularly bleak for smaller family-owned businesses that rely on niche markets or seasonal income to remain afloat.

A Ripple Effect on Local Economies

The affects of closure of other businesses ‘ripple’ down the line to those economies as well. Tourist attractions negatively affect other businesses like hotels, restaurants, the transport industry, and the retail and catering sectors. When attractions cease or cut back on their operations, businesses in the vicinity that depend on the traffic of tourists also suffer. Consider the loss of a wildlife attractions such as a zoo or a wildlife park. These can lead to a fall in guests in the hotels, in patrons in restaurants, and in general, a sickly patronized local economy.

The diminished cash flow as a result of cut down on spending due to the stagnation in income from tourists is keeping owners of attractions and other businesses in the South West on their toes. This is one of the most challenging times the South West has experienced. Your guess is as good as mine.