The Future Of... Tourism and the Cornish Economy

“The Future Of …” series of events at The Poly continues with a presentation by Louis Turner, followed by open discussion, on the theme “Tourism and the Cornish Economy”.

Cornwall’s tourist industry is no longer a simple bucket and spade affair, offering low paid, seasonal work. Today it includes world class experiences such as The Eden Project, Tate St Ives, UNESCO Heritage sites, Michelin-level food, surfing beaches, as well as Coastal path and trails. This industry feeds into fishing, agriculture, the ecological debate and the wider marine sector. Depending on where you draw the boundaries, tourism makes up at least 10% of the Cornish economy.

Low pay, insecurity and seasonality have not gone away, but there are now role models and career paths right across this multi-faceted industry, and as this industry has evolved, we can also see the emergence of a high-technology Cornwall. From Goonhilly Earth station to a re-emerging mining sector, clean energy, digital design, luxury yacht building and a fledgling innovation complex round the Tremough Campus.

In many parts of the world, this mix of a lively cultural scene, universities, tech companies and a pleasant physical environment has led to "creative clusters" where people from different disciplines start working together, producing creative breakthroughs. Are these building blocks present in Cornwall?

Tourism feeds directly into all of these areas. However, this will not be an unchallenged blessing. The gentrification of Cornwall will continue and what will be its implications?

Louis Turner is a long-term Poly Trustee and is currently researching a book on the history of the Cornish tourist industry. In his professional career he worked on global competition, visiting science parks in Japan, China, India and South Korea.

Tickets: £7

A £1 Poly Fund payment is added to each ticket sold