Tourism Summit 2025
The Visit Cornwall Tourism Summit returns for the first time since 2020, bringing the industry together for two impactful days at the Alverton Hotel in Truro!
Shaping the future of tourism in Cornwall
The Visit Cornwall Tourism Summit returns on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th January 2025. This inclusive event is open to everyone involved in Cornwall's tourism industry. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, manager, marketer or stakeholder in Cornwall's tourism industry, this event offers an opportunity to learn from some of the most respected voices in the sector, as well as offering peer support from other tourism businesses in Cornwall.
Day One: Business Strategy and Industry Trends (09.00 - 16.00)
The summit will begin with a full day dedicated to business owners, managers, and decision-makers. Our lineup of speakers and expert panels will focus on key trends, challenges, and opportunities in the tourism sector.
Day Two: Marketing and Digital Innovation (09.00 - 16.00)
The second day is tailored to those involved in the marketing of their tourism or hospitality business and how they can use the latest data, trends and strategies to navigate some of the challenges facing the sector today. There will be practical tips and guidance on how to increase reach, build better marketing relationships and boost revenue through exclusive access to data insights from the Visit Cornwall team.
Enjoy complimentary refreshments and a delicious lunch each day as you network and recharge between sessions.
Business Strategy and Industry Trends
Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain/VisitEngland, giving an update on the priorities of VisitBritain/VisitEngland, as well as the emerging new tourism strategy for England.
Kate Nicholls OBE, CEO of UK Hospitality, with an update on the challenges facing the hospitality sector following the last trading year and the impact of the most recent budget.
Lord Hutton, Chair of the Cornwall Economic Forum, bringing us up to date with the rolling priorities emerging for Cornwall on the growth agenda and the visitor economy.
Patrick Richards, Founder and Director of TerraVerde, will present the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to a low and/or net zero visitor economy.
Additional topics will cover national and international challenges in travel and tourism and their impact on Cornwall. More speakers to be announced—check back for updates!
Marketing and Digital Innovation
The morning will follow a similar structure to day one, with sessions led by:
Tom Chartres-Moore and Amy Ralston from Stephens Scown. More and more marketers are looking to use AI in their marketing – for copywriting to customer service. Tom and Amy will address the legal considerations if you are using AI in your marketing.
Chris Thompson, CEO of You Smart Thing, will be taking you through some exclusive regional data, giving you an insight into the locations people are searching for, how people are moving around the county and how this can be incorporated into your marketing to make it more targeted.
Rob Edlin from Niddocks, and non-executive Visit Cornwall director. The Visit Cornwall website attracts 4 million visitors each year. Rob will be taking you through the data – giving you a valuable insight into what people are looking for and when, with practical guidance on how to time your marketing efforts and where.
Robin Tjolle, VisitEngland Regional Development Lead for the South West, and Abi Steel, Visit Cornwall Tourism Manager, who will be presenting the opportunities for Cornish businesses to work with the travel trade.
Nick Hall, Founder & CEO of the Digital Tourism Think Tank, will be sharing global trends and best practices, giving you tips on how to use tech to your advantage to take your business to the next level. He’ll also be sharing some of the new technology you can use within your marketing to make it more targeted, efficient and to deliver better outcomes.
On the Thursday afternoon, Nick will lead interactive workshops, allowing attendees to explore the latest digital tools and techniques in a hands-on environment. This is an opportunity to develop practical skills, understand emerging trends, and position your brand for growth in today’s competitive digital landscape.
Tickets
Tickets are priced at £55 per person per day. Discounted rates are available for those with an active Visit Cornwall membership, with tickets priced at £39.50 per person per day.
Tickets will be on sale on Monday 18th November via the Visit Truro ticket office at the links below.
This event has been part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and from the generosity of our sponsors, including Great Western Railway (GWR), our preferred travel partners.
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