Tourists still visit Cornwall despite fire

A FIRE which devastated a hotel in Newquay has not put tourists off visiting Cornwall.
Three people died and over 80 escaped from the fire which gutted the Penhallow Hotel, but according to VisitCornwall, although the fire was greatly publicised, it was stressed the area affected was very small and it did not impact on the rest of Cornwall.
Spokesman Julia Cox said: "The effect that the Penhallow Hotel fire had on visitor numbers was very limited as the localised nature of the fire was well publicised helping visitors to appreciate that the rest of Newquay and Cornwall was safe and ready for business.
"According to a 2005 visitor report, Cornwall attracts 4.4 million visitors each year and Newquay is one of the most popular destinations, along with St Ives, which was recently named the Best UK Seaside Town by the Guardian.
"Each of these towns attract 20 - 25 per cent of all visitors to Cornwall on day trips and another 14 - 18 per cent of visitors actually stay in each town."
Julia also said the region is marketed through VisitCornwall's website via a series of campaigns focusing on the changing seasons of the year.
She added: "VisitCornwall promotes Cornwall to the domestic and key international markets focusing on the Spring, Autumn and Winter months.
"The VisitCornwall website http://www.visitcornwall.co.uk is the main vehicle for promotion along with the Cornwall guide which has a print-run of 250,000."

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