Cornish Farm Holidays celebrates 25 years of tourism co-operation

Cornish Farm Holiday members who belong to the Pelynt and Launceston Male Voice Choirs entertained the guests at the 25th anniversary dinner. Photo: Cornish Farm Holidays.

Above: Cornish Farm Holiday members who belong to the Pelynt and Launceston Male Voice Choirs entertained the guests at the 25th anniversary dinner. Photo: Cornish Farm Holidays.

A holiday co-operative this month marked 25 years of business in the tourism trade with a celebratory dinner at a Newquay hotel.

Cornish Farm Holidays, founded in 1985 to promote farm tourism in the county, offers members a network to share ideas and work collectively to raise the industry standard.

St. Austell-based Pat Smith acted as the group’s first chairperson. She said: “What we did in the 1980s was ground breaking stuff - many of the farmers viewed the tourism side of things as a bit of pin money for their wives.

“Some of them have been amazed at how successful they have been and with the downturn in farming fortunes, these tourism ventures have sometimes overtaken the farming income and become the key to the family farm’s survival.

The group has now grown to include over 80 working farms offering self-catering and bed and breakfast accommodation, marketing themselves collectively via brochure production, a new website featuring live availability, as well as advertising and PR activity.

For current chairperson, Carolyn Care, events like the recent black tie dinner on Saturday 16th January at Hotel Bristol are a key aspect of being part of the group.

After a three course dinner, guests were entertained by the Pelynt and Launceston Male Voice Choirs and enjoyed an anniversary cake made by Barbara Sleep.

Carolyn Care said: “Our aim as a group is to bring opportunities to our members that wouldn’t be possible for them acting as individuals. The advantages of marketing ourselves as a single entity are clear, but one of the biggest benefits I see is the network of support and community spirit that has developed over the years.”

Andy Woodward, chief executive of Farm Stay, was specially invited to the event and is impressed with the group’s efforts.

He said: “Cornish Farm Holidays provide a professional solution for consumers looking for quality rural accommodation. As not-for-profit organisations run as businesses, members know that all of their funds are being ploughed into the promotion of farm tourism and not lining the pockets of commercial operators.

“In a week where the snow and ice caused massive disruption to the normal working cycle of a farm, the fact that so many members travelled from all corners of the county to support one another speaks volumes. Getting involved delivers many true friends as well as additional business.”

For more information about joining Cornish Farm Holidays visit www.cornishfarmholidays.co.uk or call Alison Maiklem on 01503 220192.

ENDS

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Notes to Editors
Cornish Farm Holidays offer quality farm holiday accommodation on over 80 Cornish farms. All member farms are independently assessed by the English Tourist Board or the AA, as well as satisfying the Cornish Farm Holidays criteria for high-quality accommodation and service. And because Cornish Farm Holidays is a cooperative and not an agency, there are no agency fees to pay. www.cornishfarmholidays.co.uk

Media Contact - PR on behalf of Cornish Farm Holidays
Jim Michell at Barefoot Media.
Telephone: +44 (0)1208 895089
Email: jim@barefootmedia.co.uk