Experience holidays may boost tourism industry
BBCTourism bosses in the Tamar Valley are hoping to boost the local economy by encouraging people to stay a little longer with experiential holidays.
Experiential is where a tourism businesses collaborates with other providers to add an experience such as a ferry ride, a tour or even a cooking course.
The unspoilt beauty of Tamar Valley, which is a National Landscape, has long been a destination choice for short-stay visitors.
Sarah Bartlett, head of marketing at Visit Tamar Valley, said: "We're now focussing on experiential stays and we're asking our members to package up experiences along with stays so people have a real focus... and invest in spending time here."
She said: "People are no longer just wanting to book somewhere to stay, they want to come and experience the area fully, like a local arguably.
"They're really going to get an experience that creates memories and lasts a lifetime."
A popular attraction for visitors is the 87-mile Tamara Coast to Coast Way that starts in Devon and crosses over the River Tamar, which is traditionally via train across the Calstock Viaduct.
But now an electric ferry, which is powered entirely by solar energy, can pick up passengers at Ferry Farm in Devon and then drop off at Calstock or the National Trust's Cothele House.
Will Mattos, who runs the ferry, hopes to create a Community Interest Company to keep it running following the end of the Tamara Landscape Partnership scheme.
Visit Tamar Valley is hoping the ferry will collaborate with self-catering accommodation owner Jon Tully who offers guests a tour of Okel Tor Mine, which fills his 16 acre plot.
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