Tourism on the up in Cornwall (From This is The West Country)

Tourism on the up in Cornwall

1:25pm Wednesday 15th February 2006 in Tourism Guide

Tate St Ives is one of three attractions to have joined CATA the Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions. The other two are Mount Edgcumbe House and Gardens near Torpoint and The Courtroom Experience in Bodmin.

CATA was first established thirty years ago as a way of improving the visitor experience in Cornwall. Members have to undergo a rigorous and ongoing inspection programme in order to be allowed to join ensuring that high standards of quality are consistently maintained.

"I'm delighted that we are now part of an association that does so much to make sure that Cornwall's attractions deliver excellent customer service as well as good value for money," said Susan Daniel-McElroy, Director of Tate St Ives. "We live in a beautiful part of the world and tourism is an essential part of our economy. We want our visitors to leave the county feeling very positive about their time with us and CATA is a tried and tested way of helping to make sure that happens."

There are nearly 40 CATA members from Land's End in the far west, through to Eden and Cotehele near Saltash. Representatives of the association meet six times a year at various venues the latest being Paradise Park in Hayle which is owned and run by Nick Reynolds.

"Although we are all competing for much the same market, we work together so that, when a visitor goes to one attraction, they are given a leaflet advertising all the others in our association,' said Nick. We want our customers to be aware that there is a great deal going on in the county because that benefits everyone ourselves, our visitors and the vast number of small businesses across Cornwall that rely on the leisure industry for profit and success."