The big day is nearly here, but what about the guests?

The big day is nearly upon us. No, not the budget but the grand opening of the controversial IHG Hotel at Corbyn Head.

Much has already been written about this development, most of it highly critical with concerns ranging from its lack of kerb appeal and disregard for neighbouring properties to accusations that IHG, the developers, and the council have sidestepped basic planning regulations.

Add to this the years of construction chaos, noise, disruption and traffic headaches it’s little wonder that public opinion remains lukewarm at best.

Nevertheless, the hotel will soon open its doors and my best wishes go to the staff and management, I sincerely hope they succeed. With 153 bedrooms, a thriving hotel could bring valuable visitors to Torquay but the question remains: once they arrive, what will they do?

The hotel itself offers a bar, two restaurants, and gym facilities. It’s easy to imagine IHG encouraging guests to spend their holiday money or corporate expense budgets within its walls rather than venturing out to enjoy the fabulous independent restaurants and bars just a short walk away.

So what attractions will tempt visitors beyond the hotel lobby? The beach is undeniably a major draw, but its appeal fades quickly when the weather turns and guests want more than a windswept stroll or a coffee behind rain-streaked windows.

Visitors to Torbay I've spoken to say they are looking for engaging indoor attractions, cultural activities and all weather entertainment that make their stay memorable regardless of the forecast.

Sadly, Torbay has seen the demise of many beloved destinations: Living Coasts, Torquay Military Museum, Oldway Mansion, Torquay Pavilion, Occombe Farm, Torre Pitch and Putt, and the Hole in the Wall pub, to name just a few. With the future of Paignton Zoo now uncertain, we risk losing yet another cornerstone of our local tourism offer.

The council appears fixated on hotels, clinging to a “build it and they will come” mentality. But this overlooks the existing hospitality trade still recovering from the impact of Covid and the wider needs of visitors. Hotels alone are not enough.

The council must invest in and support attractions and activities that truly inspire and excite. Only by doing so will visitors be encouraged to spend their money locally, boosting the economy, creating jobs, and sustaining the community rather than simply lining the pockets of corporate hotel groups.

This means safeguarding the future of Paignton Zoo, one of Torbay’s most important and beloved destinations. It means ensuring that independent shop owners can afford fair rates and that our high streets are fit for purpose: vibrant, welcoming, and attractive to visitors. It means protecting and enhancing the destinations we already have, rather than allowing them to wither away while new hotels dominate the conversation.

A thriving tourism economy is built not just on places to stay, but on reasons to visit. Without investment in cultural venues, family attractions, and unique local experiences, Torbay risks becoming a place where guests check in but rarely step out.

The council must broaden its vision from using hotel groups to fill its regeneration programme to finding partners that provide attractions, it must support the businesses, destinations, and community assets that make Torbay distinctive so that visitors leave with lasting memories and most importantly, a desire to return.