Devon tourism businesses report strong summer despite heatwaves

Tourism businesses in Devon reported a positive summer season characterized by strong visitor numbers and solid spending. Many local enterprises benefited from the government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, which reduced VAT on children’s meals and visitor attraction tickets from 20 per cent to 5 per cent.

Despite the overall growth, the sector faced challenges due to extreme heatwaves at the start of the season. Some businesses, such as The Big Sheep in North Devon, noted that the heat initially impacted visitor numbers, though a recovery occurred once temperatures stabilized. Other businesses, like Stuart Line Cruises, reported an increase in foreign travelers and a high rate of returning customers, noting that they had to adapt marketing strategies to reassure guests about temperatures during hot weather.