A luxury holiday park and campsite in Cornwall that turns 80 this year has reported a rise in demand following a two-year revamp.
Silver Sands, a privately owned site on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula, has seen a 10 per cent rise in occupancy levels following its refurbishment.
Advance summer reservations are also up 11.5 per cent year-on-year, with expectations of continued growth, while holiday home ownership interest is at an "all-time high", the company said.
More than £1m has been invested across the park, which is near the South West Coast Path, over the last two years including the addition of new lodges with private gardens and hot tubs; upgraded wifi; improved landscaping; and the expansion and modernisation of the shower and toilet facilities.
Allen Main, owner of Silver Sands Holiday Park, said: "Reaching our 80th year with such strong demand for holidays in Cornwall as a privately owned park is an incredible milestone, but we’re also conscious of what may be coming down the line.
"From speaking to our guests, we know that what really matters is affordable, high‑quality and reliable hospitality when they go on holiday."
Mr Main has raised concerns that Cornwall's proposed tourism levy could stall future investment, particularly for small, independent operators. UK Hospitality estimates the tax would add £100 to a two-week family stay at £2 per person per night.
"We’ve invested in our business to make sure we continue to deliver that level of service; however, with ongoing pressures in the industry and the added threat of a tourism levy, there is a real risk that businesses like ours will be forced to hold back or delay the very investments that raise standards," he said.
Mr Main warned the tourism tax could risk doing "more harm than good" to Cornwall's visitor economy if it isn't ringfenced or "distributed in the right way".
"Crucially, it could limit the ability of small, family-run businesses like ours to continue investing in improving the visitor experience," he said.
"We want the park to be here in another 80 years, still running as a privately-owned family-run holiday park, and while we’re celebrating what we’ve achieved so far, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t concerned for what’s ahead."
