actnow Press Release
January 2008
Cornwall’s tourists love to surf
actnow hails internet surge in Cornish tourism industry
actnow, the partnership spearheading broadband in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, has welcomed news that Cornish hotels are embracing the Internet and online booking, after new research highlighted a major increase in tourists choosing their holiday on the worldwide web.
The survey, by Cornwall Enterprise’s VisitCornwall service, reveals that the Internet is now the single main source of information for visitors to the county, being used more frequently than brochures, newspaper ads or any other printed material.
1,020 visitors took part in face-to-face interviews within Bude, Falmouth, Looe, Newquay, St Ives and Truro between July 2006 and June 2007, as part of the official Cornwall Visitor Survey. First conducted in 1983, the biennial report aims to provide an accurate and up-to-date profile of Cornwall’s tourism sector, while highlighting any emerging trends.
This year’s results show that as well as using the Internet for information, 62% of Internet users also now book their holiday accommodation online. A further 7% use the web to buy other services such as car hire, flights or tickets to attractions.
Ben Jakes, Manager of Tregarthen’s Hotel on the Isles of Scilly, has noticed the trend. He says: “We installed an online booking system last year and our bookings have increased significantly. It is more convenient for the customer because they can book at a time that suits them, even if it is at midnight. There is no question that this means more bookings and more profitability for the hotel.
“Funding support from actnow helped us make the investment in broadband technology and now we are facing the future with confidence.”
Nigel Ashcroft, actnow Project Director, says: “The whole face of the tourism market is changing with the Internet now the first choice for visitors seeking information. It is vital that tourism providers in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly fully embrace the opportunities this presents, or they will be left behind.”
As well as promoting use of the Internet for websites and online booking, actnow encourages accommodation providers to install wireless broadband as a service that guests can use.
Ben Jakes continues: “At Tregarthen’s, we now offer a WiFi service that is free to guests. This is a great advantage to our visitors as may of them want to keep up to date with emails while they are away or continue to use the Internet as an information source to make the most of their holiday.”
Over 200 tourism businesses in Cornwall now offer WiFi to visitors.
Teresa Timms, PR Manager of VisitCornwall adds: “The Internet is revolutionising tourism as consumers change their expectations and buying habits. We are really pleased that accommodation providers in the county are rising to the challenge and adapting to visitors’ changing needs.”
For information on help with installing broadband or WiFi in your business, call actnow on 0800 800 935 or visit www.actnowcornwall.co.uk.
