SINCE 2012, the number of American tourists has sky-rocked in London, however that is where they stay and do not venture out beyond the capital, unless there is good reason to go.

Bude Tourist Information Centre went to an American conference last month to look at what Bude can do to entice the Americans, who are high spenders, to visit Bude.

Equally there is huge investment from Visit England and they would most definitely like to see Bude and Cornwall benefit from that and be on the map for the American market.

Clair Roberts, board of directors of Bude TIC, said: “So what is the market? It can sound like a bit of a corporate buzz word, but the demographic and expectations are really quite simple, and the TIC think Bude has everything on offer. Therefore, they invite you to become part of this new and expanding market.

“The American tourist is aged 45+ and travels as part of a couple. They spend about a week in the UK, of which London is a must-see, but will look to spend three or four days doing something of cultural, historical or ancestral interest.

“They expect high quality accommodation, private bathrooms and excellent service, but look for accommodation that is not an international/national hotel chain and appreciate something that is quirky or quintessentially British — or Cornish.

“They want to go to real local pubs, mix with local people and be told stories by local guides; they love food experiences, soft adventures such as walking, seeing historic and iconic places, where films/TV programmes are made, and of course are keen to track down family heritage, and in Bude there is buckets of that with American troops stationed there during the Second World War.”

Clair explained that the TIC has checked their list, and they think they need to promote Bude in a very big way to the Americans.

The guest offers might need tweaking, such as considering that organising a private taxi to collect someone from Exeter train station or Newquay airport as normal service, creating more local tour guides and real local experiences.

Clair said: “The simplest way to put it is ‘Brilliant Basics and Magic Touches’, ensuring what you offer is of great standard with exceptional attention to detail. That is what the American market is looking for and the TIC think Bude has what it takes.”

If you are interested in being part of the American Inbound Tourism, which will demand Bude TIC to create some proposed itineraries specifically for this high end market, then please do contact Mark Hibbard at [email protected]