Cornwall voted top holiday destination

Cornwall has been voted Britain’s favourite destination according to a new poll carried out this summer. As well as taking the top spot for overall favourite British destination, Cornwall was voted best for families and was runner-up in the best for food and best for value categories after London and Blackpool respectively.

Cornwall was ranked in the top three destinations for ‘getting away from it all’ and its locals were voted among the friendliest in the UK.

The survey was carried out by online travel company TripAdvisor and questioned 500 British travellers over the course of the summer to find out what they thought were the best and worst places in the country to go on holiday.

Mike Coombes, deputy chief executive for low fare regional airline Air Southwest, which operates more flights to and from Cornwall than any other airline, said: “This survey bears out what our own customers tell us – Cornwall remains the jewel in the crown for people opting to holiday in Britain. It’s fantastic for families, has some of the best food in the country and offers great value for money.”

Mr Coombes said Air Southwest was seeing more and more people opting for a ‘staycation’ in the UK rather than venturing abroad, and its new flights from Newcastle and Glasgow to Newquay, which were introduced earlier this year, had proved popular. Air Southwest also flies from Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Cork, Dublin, Bristol and London Gatwick to Newquay.

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of South West Tourism, said: “Cornwall has been creating enduring family memories for decades and if people have a lasting memory of a family holiday then the ability to bring them back later is that much easier. This survey not only validates Cornwall’s image and brand but shows that the family market is as strong as ever and that will support businesses for years to come.”

For more information, see Airsouthwest.com.