The body responsible for promoting Cornwall’s tourism industry is under threat, as Cornwall County Council has confirmed the need to make savings of £196m over the next four years.

Visit Cornwall, which estimates its activity led to an extra £17.5m spent by visitors last year, could lose its annual grant of £850,000 from Cornwall Council

In a statement, the council confirmed it has been working with the private sector to develop a new visitor economy strategy and has opened a consultation process to look at other options to deliver the service, with the help of the private sector.

The council says it is still investing in other important elements which underpin Cornwall as a tourist destination, including Newquay Airport, lifeguarding on beaches and transport schemes.

The news has not been welcomed by tourism bosses. Tim Smit, vice chair of Cornwall’s biggest attraction, the Eden Project told Leisure Opportunities: “Any group of people who consider themselves to be the government of a region who do not take care to look after the major business and the employment it generates should ask themselves if they have been prudent or not.

"I think they have a responsibility to be assured that whatever is done actually accurately reflects the importance of tourism and leisure in our region.”