Fly into Exeter Airport and can enjoy the peaceful environment, sea-air and sophistication of the English Riviera.
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Electronics and photonicsTorquay is one of the top five UK locations for photonics and a key destination for advanced electronics engineering. Global leaders like Lumentum, Gooch & Housego, Spirent, Queensgate Nano, Effect Photonics and II–VI Photonics are all located in Torbay. These companies are committed to major ongoing investment in the region. Torbay also has a dedicated Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC), enhancing its reputation as a centre of excellence. This is an £8million project that has created 220 local jobs and responds directly to the needs of the sector, supporting prototyping, test development methodology, R&D and shared space for innovative hi-tech start-ups. |
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Fishing and seafood processingThe port of Brixham is at the centre of the UK fishing industry. It’s a modern market with a robust logistics infrastructure, provided by companies with expert knowledge in chilled and refrigerated transport. Investment in Brixham Fish Market, together with a combination of traditional values and modern methods, has given Brixham a strong marine economy and a distinct advantage over other fishing ports across the UK. |
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TourismSouth Devon received a record number of visits from tourists in 2018, up by five per cent on the year prior. The upward trend continued into 2019 with site visits up almost six per cent for the first two months of the year, compared with the same period the year before, including a 20 per cent leap in overseas traffic. The South Devon tourism economy is helped by the warm climate and films such as The Mercy, starring Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz, which created international interest in South Devon, the Teign Estuary and Teignmouth. |
The English Riviera has 2,500 bedrooms within a mile of Torquay’s town centre. Hotels in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham range from large seafront properties to boutique establishments and everything in between.
4* hotels | 400 bedrooms |
3* and under properties | 2,000 bedrooms |
Other (student accommodation / home sharing) | 100 bedrooms |
Whether you require a seafront venue, a country house set in stunning landscaped grounds, or an unusual property to meet, eat or party, the English Riviera has it all.
Reward top performers with water-based activities – sailing, surfing and scuba diving are all available. Or treat them to a round of golf on a course with stunning coastal views, or quad biking in the South Devon countryside. The area is also home to England’s seafood coast, English wines and a famous author’s former holiday home.