Coronavirus: Government encourages 'staycations' to boost British tourism
Overnight stays could be allowed in England by early July as the government suggests it will further relax lockdown restrictions.
Friday 5 June 2020 18:42, UK
British staycations could be possible as soon as 4 July, according to the Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
It will be welcome news to British people still hoping for a summer vacation this year, as foreign holidays are likely to be impossible for many due to a 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving back in the UK.
Speaking in the Commons Mr Dowden said he would be "at the forefront of championing the campaign for British tourism" once the sector is ready to reopen.
He said the government's target is for this to happen in England by 4 July, although concrete plans have not yet been announced.
"We're hoping to get tourism back as rapidly as possible," he said.
"When it is back we will be investing extensively ensuring we have a major campaign to encourage British people to take British staycations."
Any changes are likely to only apply in England, as restrictions in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be decided by their respective governments.
Not all parts of the tourism industry are likely to open at the same time.
Mr Dowden suggested self-let accommodation would be among the first places to reopen as they pose a "lower risk" of spreading coronavirus.
The news that Brits will be encouraged to take staycations has been welcomed by the tourism industry.
"Many of our businesses are desperate to open having lost Easter and both May bank holidays," said Sally Evertone, director of Visit Devon.
"Once given the green light by the government that they can, many would hope to open in early to mid-July."
But she said some businesses would struggle to open at all under current social distancing restrictions requiring people to stay 2m apart.
"We are hopeful that the government will look at reducing this to 1.5m or even 1m distancing in line with some EU countries such as Germany and Holland," she added.
"This would make the difference between 30% of businesses able to open and 70% able to open."
The chair of Visit Devon Rhys Roberts said businesses now needed to know what conditions they would be expected to meet in order to open.
"Businesses have been asking for the new working protocols for weeks," he said.
"The availability of PPE is a major concern and they need time to remodel their business to meet the new conditions, information to date has been inconsistent and very slow but we have made some significant progress in the last week."
Online booking site AirBnB is already accepting bookings in the UK from 4 July, having stopped all bookings except those by key workers during the outbreak.
In response to Mr Dowden's comments the company said: "The British summer holiday is back on the horizon and hosts are getting ready to provide accommodation away from the crowds that's local, private, clean and safe.
"Domestic travel made up almost 2 in 3 trips on Airbnb last year and hosts stand ready to welcome guests back, as soon the government says it's safe to do so."