A new era for Cornwall’s tourism industry was ushered in today, with the formal launch of the new Visit Cornwall Community Interest Company (CIC).
Following the Council’s decision at the end of last year to withdraw the funding for Visit Cornwall as part of wider spending cuts, discussions were held with the private sector to ensure that the activities of the organisation could continue.
Earlier this month the Council’s cabinet gave the go ahead for the creation of Visit Cornwall CIC, led by the private sector and on Tuesday the responsibility for marketing Cornwall as a key tourist destination will transfer to the new company.
Council leader, John Pollard, said: “We recognise the vital role of the visitor economy plays and I am delighted that the private sector has been extremely positive and proactive and I would like to thank everyone who has helped to achieve this.
“This is one more example of Cornwall’s business sector responding to our reduced resources by coming forward with a new model of delivery.
“The role of Visit Cornwall CIC will be to further raise the profile of Cornwall on the international stage. The new company will act as the voice for Cornish tourism and will work with partners, including the Council and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, to support more businesses, increase visitor spend and create more jobs in Cornwall.”
The CIC will be headed up by Malcolm Bell, who has led Visit Cornwall in its public form since 2010.
He said: “This is an exciting new chapter for both Visit Cornwall and Cornwall’s tourism industry. I am delighted with the support received from the private sector and the Council and look forward to working with our small but highly focused team to take Visit Cornwall forward.”
The Council is providing transitional funding of up to £300k to support the change to the new company and will have an observer on the new board.
