Scottish tourism re-start on 15 July signalled

Tourist providers should prepare to re-open in five weeks’ time, tourism minister Fergus Ewing announced today.

Tourists wearing face masks at Edinburgh Castle in January. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell.

He told MSPs it was important to provide an “indicative” date for the sector which had been “devastated” by the Covid-19 crisis.

Mr Ewing hoped confirmation of the date would come early next month.

He said: “We hope we will be able to give the go ahead to the sector at the 9 July [lockdown restrictions] review.

“Businesses should start to prepare for a provisional return to trading – with appropriate safety guidelines – on 15 July.

“This date cannot be definitive and is conditional on public health advice and progression to phase three of the route map.

“Businesses must now use this time to satisfy the necessary regulations and adapt to the new way of living.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has suggested she may announce a move to phase two at the next review on Thursday next week.

Mr Ewing added: “We must be assured the epidemic is suppressed” – and said the date might have to be changed.

But he said the tourism industry needed clarity on when it could re-open so it could "start on the long road back to sustainability and growth".

He added: "Visitors need time to request annual leave and make bookings."

BACKGROUND: Severe CalMac travel restrictions to remain after lockdown ends

Mr Ewing said tourism was very seasonal and "opportunities were narrowing by the day".

He said a marketing campaign would be “vital” to reassure residents of areas of Scotland less affected by the virus over the impact of visitors returning.

However, restrictions on CalMac ferry travel on the west coast are likely to remain because of the severe limitations on capacity because of the need for 2m distancing.

Vessels will have as little as 17 per cent of their normal carrying capacity.

Mr Ewing said the tourist industry had gone from hoping for another bumper season to seeing it drop to “almost zero overnight”.

He said the Scottish Government had provided £2.3 billion of support for the industry but said the UK Government must lead the recovery plan.

Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, which represents tourism businesses, welcomed the “hugely positive milestone in our road to recovery in what has been an exceptionally dark few weeks for Scotland’s tourism industry”.

He said forthcoming guidance on re-opening would offer businesses “huge reassurance” to give them a month to prepare.

He said: “We will remain hopeful an earlier date for re-opening may be given for certain sectors which are more easily placed to do so safely by their nature, for example self-catering, caravan and camping parks.

But he said “urgent solutions or alternative measures” were needed “to overcome the current 2m distancing restrictions to enable economic viability for many businesses.

“This is especially true of the capacities on our ferries, as it will significantly impact island economies where tourism is the lifeblood for so many.”

The importance of guidance to tourism businesses was stressed by Scottish Labour.

Tourism spokesperson Claire Baker said: “It is welcome they are now being given the go ahead to start planning to re-open, but there is no room for a false start here.

“Businesses have faced huge financial losses due to this crisis, and there must be absolute clarity about what this announcement means for different parts of these sectors.

“With the possibility this date could be pushed back for safety reasons, it is vital Scotland’s tourism and hospitality businesses, their staff and customers have absolute transparency from the Scottish Government about any potential changes that may need to be made.

“There must be comprehensive support and guidance made available to businesses and the public so there is no confusion about how this can be handled safely.”

Andrew McRae, Scotland policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “With these new details about when they’ll possibly re-open, small accommodation providers can start making the necessary preparations.

“That gives these firms an opportunity to salvage a share of their summer season.

“But Scottish tourism isn’t just a bed for the night.

“Other businesses in the visitor economy – such as tour guides or local galleries – can now start making decisions about how and when they should re-open.

“Tourists will also want places to eat, drink and explore when they get here.

“That’s why the plan to re-open Scotland to visitors needs to reflect the breadth of the industry and the views of local communities.”

Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, which represents more than 1,600 tourism businesses said: “This will be welcome news for so many who are reliant on hospitality and tourism for their livelihoods.

“The Scottish Government has listened, but for some it is already too late and the challenge ahead remains clear.

“The sector, which is essential to maintaining the fabric of many areas of Scotland, remains fragile.

“These companies will continue to need support to ensure they can adapt to provide a safe experience for visitors.”

Stephen Young, head of policy at Scottish Land & Estates, which represents landowners, said: “It would be our preference to see self-catering or caravan sites open earlier if possible, but we acknowledge that government faces a delicate balance to move at the correct pace of reopening, especially with its stated objective of tourism and transport sectors resuming in tandem.

“Rural areas are helped by having more space and most guests will travel by private transport to accommodation so an opportunity does exist to expedite the resumption of rural tourism.”

Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) managing director Colin Wilkinson said: “The main question now is what the social-distancing parameters will be.

“The SLTA and other industry bodies have asked the Scottish Government to give serious consideration to reducing the current 2m parameter as we have seen in other countries and to bring the level in line with the World Health Organisation.

“If the current distancing measures are maintained, normal capacities could be reduced by between 60 per cent and 80 per cent.”

Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers chief executive Fiona Campbell said: “As representatives of Scotland’s £723 million self-catering sector, we welcomes the indicative reopening date of 15 July for tourism businesses, after what has been a highly challenging time for all those involved in the industry.

“However, we also believe that owing to the nature of self-catering that allows for easier social distancing compared to other accommodation, we are able to return to operating sooner than planned, with robust cleaning protocols in place.

“Scotland’s self-caterers have grasped the task of preparing to open again and in doing so have created our own stringent and thorough protocols for cleaning our properties which we have shared this with industry stakeholders and the Scottish Government.”

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