Tourism and estates body welcomes mid-July target to reopen tourism

Rural tourism and hospitality businesses representatives have said they are primed to assist Scotland’s economic recovery if reopening goes ahead next month.

Scottish Land & Estates has welcomed this afternoon's statement from Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing that the government is aiming for a restart date of July 15 for tourism.

Stephen Young, Head of Policy at Scottish Land & Estates said: “The intended resumption of tourism and hospitality on July 15 is hugely welcome news for Scotland’s rural economy. Progress still needs to be maintained in the fight against Covid-19 but this indicative target provides a date which businesses can work towards.

“We recently established that 90 per cent of 250 rural businesses we surveyed felt they were well-equipped to reopen safely.

"The Scottish Government has said it will publish guidance next week for the tourism and hospitality sectors and this should hopefully provide even greater confidence for the restart.

“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."

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