Great Western Coffee Shop

The South West should become the new Tuscany by emulating the success of the Italian region's agri-tourism economy, delegates at a food conference were told (link below.)
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144125&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232450&contentPK=20370844&folderPk=108202&pNodeId=251466

Plans to twin the Westcountry with Tuscany could also bring significant benefits to its tourism, farming and food businesses.

The ideas were among suggestions put forward at Raising the Game, the pre-Exeter Food Festival conference, where speakers suggested investment, quality and looking outwards were the key to maintaining the region's reputation as a food and tourism destination.

The Tuscan agri-tourism example was highlighted as one that the Westcountry could follow.

Hoteliers and tourist attractions in the Westcountry have been warned to face up to competition or lose out on the ^9 billion annual cash bonanza (link below.)
http://thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144125&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232510&home=yes&more_nodeId1=232470&contentPK=20498804

According to a new tourism report, short breaks have become the holiday of choice for visitors to Cornwall and Devon.

Now, tourism leaders believe that offering greater value for money is the key to attracting and retaining visitors.

The Value of Tourism 2006 report showed tourists were spending more on day trips and less on longer holidays. Between 2005-2006, day visitors spent ^260 million more - while long-holiday spending dropped by ^204 million.

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of South West Tourism, which produced the report, said tourism was worth almost ^9 billion a year to the region's economy.

But he insisted growing competition was responsible for the drop in the number of visitors spending several days in the South West.

Meanwhile, holidays in North Devon and Cornwall remain popular despite research showing that younger tourists now find UK beach resorts unappealing (links below.)
http://thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144125&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232510&home=yes&more_nodeId1=232470&contentPK=20498792

http://thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&contentPK=20497830&folderPk=83726&pNodeId=144922