No rainy day specials, says the manager of a Devon family attraction

“Overly pessimistic” weather forecasts have caused tourist numbers to drop says the manager of a tourist attraction in Devon, UK,  who is considering legal action against the local weather service.

Rick Turner, the manager of an animal-themed family attraction that receives around 150,000 visitors each year, said he may sue the Exeter-based weather service believing its forecasts are impacting bookings, the UK’s Daily Telegraph  reported.

“People are booking their holidays later and later, sometimes just a couple of weeks before departure,” Mr Turner said.

According to Mr Turner, the forecasts had cost the tourism industry in the South West millions of pounds, with other business owners willing to support his cause.

“I just want some accountability, because when they make these pessimistic forecasts people start cancelling their holidays,” Mr Turner stated.

The Met Office said while they cannot get it right all the time, the forecasts are correct 87 percent of the time using “some of the best weather forecasting services in the world”.

“Devon is one of the wettest counties in England, and the Met Office cannot stop it raining,” a spokesperson for the Met Office added.