Council leader ready to welcome tourists back to Highlands
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Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson says she is looking forward to welcoming tourists back to the region when restrictions are lifted.
She described tourism as "the lifeblood of the Highlands" and an essential part of the area's economy.
The Scottish Government last week published guidance for Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sector which would allow reopening on July 15.
Tourism secretary Fergus Ewing hopes the industry can resume at that time if the necessary progress is maintained to move to phase three of the route map out of lockdown.
Councillor Davidson is encouraging Highland businesses to start planning and making use of the guidance to ensure maximum safety for staff and visitors.
She is also urging campervan travellers to use authorised camping and caravan sites to ensure safety and provide peace of mind that all the required facilities are available.
The guidance sets out the key public health measures that will require to be taken to allow safe reopening.
These include:
- Establishing physical distancing taking account of organisational capacity, queue management, signage and markings
- Enhanced hand hygiene measures and cleaning practice
- Advice on workforce planning, including training and equality issues
- Guidance for customers to ensure they know how to plan ahead and engage safely with the tourism and hospitality sector
The guidance has been developed in partnership with the industry, unions and public health bodies.
Councillor Davidson said: “I am pleased that we can all really look forward to welcoming visitors and tourists back to the Highlands next month.
“The lockdown has been extremely challenging for everyone, and especially for our businesses and all those working in the tourism and hospitality sector. I hope that we continue to make the steady progress we have been making in suppressing the virus and that restrictions can be safely lifted on July 15.
“I know some people will be naturally anxious as restrictions start to lift across Scotland and visitors start to return. I know many of our businesses are being very thoughtful about how they open up and are working alongside their communities so that we are all confident as we go forward.
"We have good national and local guidance to help, and we need to spread the emerging good practice for everyone to see. Tourism is the lifeblood of the Highlands and essential to our economy.”
Mr Ewing has said the July 15 date cannot be definitive and is conditional on public health advice about the virus.
As well as the tourism and hospitality sector guidance available on the Scottish Government's website, Highland Council has additional advice on its site covering matters such as planning for outdoor hospitality and licensing.
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