Summer a hit says Devon Hotels Association

Devon Hotels & Restaurants Association has reported a ‘perfect summer’ with bookings for many establishments seeing a healthy rise on last year’s figures thanks to the combination of two months of glorious sunshine, a renewed optimism in the economy encouraging spend and an increase in the corporate market.

All this with the careful planning and future forecasting of local hoteliers and restaurant owners has combined to safeguard the region’s highly respected tourism industry.

Mike Coombes, chair of Devon Hotels and MD of luxurious Mill End Hotel on Dartmoor commented: “Mill End has had a superb summer, with bookings well up on last year and our guests enjoying all the pleasures of Devon’s countryside and coasts in pretty-good weather for most of the peak season.

"A general improvement in the economic backdrop has helped boost business, and we’ve also made a point of freezing our prices whilst at the same time investing in product improvements, which means excellent value for money for our guests.”

James Hemming, Hotel Manager of Highbullen Hotel also said of the 2014 summer season: “Food and beverage spend per head was 10% higher”.

James further commented that despite the break in the weather, August was on a par to last year from an occupancy perspective, indicating that visitors to the area were happy to be in the county come rain or shine and enjoyed life’s little luxuries, sampling the excellent cuisine readily available.

The uptake wasn’t limited to our country hotels and restaurants either, Fiona Moores, General Manager of The Magdalen Chapter, Exeter reported a busy summer with a consistent growth of 5% year on year. As Fiona explains, “Corporate business was much stronger than last year and we had very high demand for our family rooms”.

The resurgence of warm temperatures and September sunshine has added to this trend. As Mark Godfrey of Deer Park Country House Hotel said: “The amazing weather this September has taken us all by surprise after a damp August and is bringing visitors to the area.

"This is exactly what was needed after such a poor start to the year.” Mark is reporting a 25% year on year increase to total revenue with Deer Park making a name for itself in the wedding market, corporate activity days and mid-week leisure breaks.

The mixed audience pays tribute to the rapid growth in the business and corporate hospitality market for Exeter and the Heart of Devon. A growth that the Devon Hotels Association fully expects to increase with the introduction of new London City to Exeter Airport flights this Autumn.

High profile events such as the Tour of Britain and the forthcoming Rugby World Cup 2015 are putting the county on the map nationally and internationally, while the continually successful Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink and Unexpected Festival - to name but two, are maintaining the area’s reputation for lively and exciting, family friendly culture.

With Devon’s already established share of the family holiday market remaining strong, the outlook for hoteliers and restaurateurs who embrace the region’s now broad and varied visitor base is rosy. The new flights are also expected to extend the short break season, making Devon more accessible to affluent Londoners.

Devon Hotels represents some of the finest hotels and restaurants in the Heart of Devon region and showcases the best that Devon has to offer, helping to encourage and sustain tourism in the region.

It supports Devon’s artisan food producers, local suppliers and food industries such as fishing and farming and covers areas including Exeter, Dartmoor, East Devon, South Hams, Torbay and North Devon.