Industry

What is the Cornwall Association of Tourist Accommodation?

Updated 2026-05-28

The Cornwall Association of Tourist Accommodation (CATA) is a membership-based trade body dedicated to serving the interests of accommodation providers in the county of Cornwall, England. It represents a wide range of businesses, including self-catering properties, holiday cottages, bed & breakfasts, and guesthouses.

The association acts as a primary point of contact for industry matters, offering guidance, support, and lobbying efforts on behalf of its members.

Join the Lodgify newsletter

Once a month, get free templates, expert tips for hosts, industry news, webinar invitations, and more.

How it works

Accommodation providers in Cornwall can join CATA by paying an annual membership fee. In return, they gain access to a variety of benefits designed to support their business operations.

The association disseminates important information regarding local and national legislation, tourism trends, and best practices. It organizes networking events, offers access to preferred suppliers, and provides a platform for members to discuss common challenges.

CATA also actively engages with local authorities, tourism boards like VisitCornwall, and government bodies to advocate for policies that benefit the region's tourism and hospitality industry.

Why it matters

For vacation rental owners in Cornwall, membership in CATA provides significant advantages. It offers a mark of professionalism and credibility to potential guests.

More importantly, it ensures owners stay informed about specific local regulations and tourism initiatives that directly impact their business. By being part of a collective, individual operators gain a stronger voice in local policy-making and benefit from the association's lobbying power on issues like taxation and planning.

Examples

  • A host of a new holiday let in St Ives joins CATA to access guidance on Cornwall-specific short-term rental regulations and to network with experienced local operators.
  • A cottage owner near Penzance uses their CATA membership to get a discount on public liability insurance from one of the association's partner providers.
  • During a council consultation on a new tourist tax, a property manager in Newquay relies on CATA to formulate a collective response that represents the interests of hundreds of local accommodation businesses.
  • A small B&B in Padstow follows CATA's updates to stay informed about regional marketing campaigns and adjusts its own promotional efforts accordingly.

Frequently asked questions

Who can join the Cornwall Association of Tourist Accommodation (CATA)?+
Membership is open to owners and managers of all types of tourist accommodation located within Cornwall, including self-catering cottages, apartments, holiday parks, bed & breakfasts, guesthouses, and small hotels.
What are the primary benefits of joining CATA?+
The main benefits include industry advocacy on a local and national level, access to legal and regulatory updates, networking opportunities with other providers, and exclusive access to resources and partner deals.
Is CATA a government organization?+
No, the Cornwall Association of Tourist Accommodation is an independent, non-profit trade association. It is run by and for its members to represent the private accommodation sector in Cornwall.
Keep reading

Related terms

Stay in the loop

Join the Lodgify newsletter.

Once a month, get free templates, expert tips for hosts, industry news, webinar invitations, and more — straight to your inbox.

One email a month. Unsubscribe anytime.