FINE weather and fears over foreign travel led to a bumper time for holiday businesses over the Easter period, according to industry leaders.
Bob Bailey, chairman of the Teignmouth, Dawlish, Shaldon & District Hoteliers & Caterers Association, told the Teignmouth News that his 60-plus members had had a very successful Easter.
'It was great, with very high booking levels,' he said. 'The signs are looking good for the summer as well.'
The association represents a variety of businesses, from hotels to self-catering establishments, from Shaldon to Cockwood.
Carol Hutchings, chairman of the South Devon Tourism Association, said that it had been a great start to the season, and hoped that it would continue.
'The main reason was the good weather leading up to Easter,' she said. 'But
we were also helped by the decision of many families not to travel overseas because of the Iraq war and the Sars epidemic.
'I don't know of anyone who did badly, apart perhaps from a few indoor attractions.'
Dudley Earle, secretary of Teignmouth Chamber of Commerce, which represents many retailers, said that large numbers of visitors had come to the town.
'The fine weather helped considerably, and it's good for the shops,' he said.
Norma Baltieri, of
the Bric-a-Brac Shop in Teign Street, Teignmouth, confirmed Mr Earle's
judgement.
'It was very good,' she said. 'Even when the weather turned a bit later on, it was great for us because it got people off the beach.'
A spokesperson for Teignmouth's Grand Pier said that the lead up to and including Easter Saturday had been good, although trade fell away somewhat on Easter Day and the Monday. But she too felt hopeful for the rest of the summer.
Nina Ghibaldan, Teignbridge Council's tourism and marketing officer, said that tourist information centres all along the coast had been very busy for the holiday period.