Tourism Minister Visits Devon to Discuss Challenges Facing Visitor Attractions

Devon’s Top Attractions welcomed Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock to Crealy Theme Park & Resort for a productive visit on Tuesday, offering a valuable opportunity for the Minister to hear directly from attraction operators alongside the wider Devon tourism sector on the challenges currently impacting the industry.

The Minister joined a 60-minute roundtable discussion with representatives from Devon’s leading attractions and tourism organisations, where a range of pressing industry issues were discussed. Key topics included increasing business rates, VAT levels, rising minimum wage costs, changes to National Insurance contributions, the potential introduction of a tourism levy, alongside wider operational and economic pressures highlighted in the meeting agenda.

There was also a constructive discussion around the impact of weather apps, and how increasingly pessimistic or inaccurate forecasts can significantly influence visitor behaviour in a weather-sensitive industry like tourism.

The discussion was open, constructive and positive, with the Minister taking time to listen carefully to the challenges being experienced across the industry. Several key points were acknowledged, and the Minister identified areas she would like to follow up on directly demonstrating a clear commitment to ongoing dialogue with the sector.

While recent attraction closures were highlighted, there was also concern that further closures and redundancies may follow, with discussions focusing on the wider Devon and national tourism landscape and the challenges associated with future growth and long-term sustainability.

Following the roundtable, the Minister took part in a short walking tour of the Crealy Theme Park, experiencing first-hand the quality and appeal of Devon’s attractions. She took a ride on one of the rollercoasters, embracing the spirit of the visit, although she stopped short of braving the new Pirates’ Plummet 80ft ride opening this week.

Roger Sell, Chairman of Devon Association of Tourist Attractions (DATA) and General Manager of River Dart Country Park, said: “We were extremely grateful to the Minister for taking the time to visit Devon and to listen directly to those of us working at the very heart of the tourism sector. It is vital that the realities on the ground are heard, and this was a valuable opportunity to highlight the cumulative impact that increasing taxation and regulatory changes – such as business rates, VAT, National Insurance and wage pressures are having on our industry. Her willingness to engage at a grassroots level and to take forward key points gives us encouragement that these challenges are being recognised.”

Overall, the visit was extremely positive and highlighted the value of bringing national decision-makers directly into the heart of Devon’s tourism sector. The Minister’s willingness to visit, listen, and take forward key issues reflects the importance of tourism not only to Devon, but to the wider UK economy.