How's Business 2019

January 2019

January shows English Riviera visitor numbers -1.7% and turnover -1.1% compared to January 2018, slightly behind the SW on visitor numbers at -1.0% but equal on turnover at -1.1%. Download the report here.

February 2019

A total of 79 responses for February. Approximately a third of accommodation businesses responding to the survey remained closed for the month. Whilst there are again slight decreases reported in visitor numbers and turnover for the month overall it should again be viewed as relatively stable. A number of businesses are citing Brexit as causing uncertainty amongst consumers.

February visitors for the English Riviera compared to last year are estimated at -2.6% compared to -1.5% for the SW region with turnover on the Riviera estimated at -2.1% – compared to -1.2% for the SW region. Download the report here.

March 2019

A total of 79 responses were recorded for March 2019, 19 responses fewer than was achieved for the March 2018 survey. As expected, due to the timing of Easter in the two years, there were decreases reported in visitor numbers although turnover remained broadly similar to March 2018. Download the report here.

April 2019

Performance on the Riviera was broadly similar to the region overall with visitors increasing by approximately 2% but turnover remaining fairly similar. April visitors for the English Riviera compared to last year are estimated at +2%, the same as the region, with turnover on the Riviera estimated at +0.5% compared to +1% for the region. Overall this should be treated as similar to the region for both measures and seen as a small increase in visitor numbers but level turnover. Download the report here.

May 2019

Performance on the Riviera for May was again broadly similar to the region overall with visitors and turnover both decreasing by approximately 2%.

Overall performance during 2019 to date has only seen one positive month out of five (April 2019), bookings to date throughout the year appear to be very last minute and occupancy is also down in May.

What’s becoming evident is that the start of the year appears to have been a struggle for many businesses and the indications are that visitor numbers are down, albeit not significantly, but its highly likely that peak season performance is going to be key in determining the success or failure of the year overall.  This as you know is in line with feedback from other areas and also other sectors in the news. Download the report here.

June 2019

June was not a good month, either on the English Riviera or across the South West with decreases in both visitor numbers and turnover, and whilst the visitor decrease was slightly bigger on the Riviera (-10% ER compared to -8% for the SW region), turnover performance was better on the ER when compared with the SW region (-3% ER compared to -7% for the region).

The visitor decrease estimated this month is quite large but we partially expected this due to feedback in the previous month and the weather not being too good during the month.  It is also supported this month by business comments and by serviced occupancy being 11% down compared to the previous year across all accommodation types. Download the report here.

July 2019

Visitors and turnover were slightly down on both the Riviera and the region (visitors were -4% ER compared to -3% for the region and turnover -3% for both areas) despite some good weather during the month.  The decreases are supported by business comments and occupancy data and the trend seen across most of the year seems to have continued into the peak season which suggests this is probably more than a blip. Download the report here.

August 2019

Visitors and turnover were again slightly down on both the Riviera and the region for August as we feared they might be from last months data (visitors were -4% for the ER and the region and turnover -3% for the ER and -2% for the region). The decreases are again supported by business comments and occupancy data and the trend seen across most of the year has continued into the peak season. We have now updated your forecast data for the year which currently estimates -3% for trips and -1% for spend but this assumes a stable end to the year. Download the report here.

September 2019

September visitors for the English Riviera compared to last year are estimated at +1.2% (region -1.1%) with turnover on the Riviera estimated at +0.6 % (region -0.2%).

The outlook for October is mixed although the largest proportion are anticipating an increase (58%) as are 53% of businesses for November.  However, things could change considerably by the time of actual data collection. Download the report here.

October 2019

October visitors for the English Riviera compared to last year are estimated at -3.7% (region -4.5%) with turnover on the Riviera estimated at -1.8 % (region -3.5%).

The outlook for November is mixed although the largest proportion are anticipating a decrease. Download the report here.

November 2019

November visitors for the English Riviera compared to last year are estimated at +0.2% (region +3.3%) with turnover on the Riviera estimated at -0.1% (region +0.5%). The outlook for December is mixed although the equal largest proportion of businesses are anticipating a decrease (39% decrease, 39% the same) as are 43% of businesses for January. However, things could change considerably by the time of actual data collection. Download the report here.

December 2019

December estimates are visitors were 1% down and turnover 2% down compared to last year for the English Riviera, with the region being 1% up for visitors and 1% down for turnover. Probably not too surprising with the weather experienced, continued Brexit discussions and the general election all of which were mentioned by businesses. Download the report here.