Stories

Tue, 26 May 2026

Tue, 26 May 2026 Bank holiday sun boosts South West tourism

Business owners in Devon and Cornwall describe how "the sun just brings everybody out".

* Temperatures reached 31C (88F) over the weekend, with many opting to head to the coast.
* Looe Sea Safari owner Lauren Pattison says the weather was a "big boost" and that bookings have been strong.
* Looe Beach Hire owner Kevin Blewett calls it a "good start" to summer.
* Data from the south-west England's tourism sector had reported a strong start to 2026 in April after reduced visitor numbers in 2025.
* The influx of holidaymakers has made a big difference for businesses, with some owners reporting that they are fully booked or have limited space left.
* However, some owners also note that the cost of living crisis has made it a challenging time and that the sun is essential to boosting bookings.