Scottish tourism businesses told to prepare for reopening from July 15
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MORAY'S hard-hit tourism businesses can prepare to reopen from July 15 after an announcement today.
Scottish Government Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing said tourism businesses should start to prepare for a provisional return to trading – with appropriate safety guidelines – on July 15 but that the reopening would be dependent on public health advice.
Mr Ewing made the welcome announcement during a statement to parliament. He also announced a new Scottish Recovery Tourism Taskforce, which will assist with the reset of the sector, including the development of a new domestic visitor marketing campaign.
He said: "The coronavirus pandemic has presented challenges across the entirety of the Scottish economy, but it is very clear there are exceptional circumstances facing this sector that must be recognised.
"I’ve been engaging with businesses since the beginning of the outbreak and I have heard their calls for more clarity which today I can provide.
"This date cannot be definitive and is conditional on public health advice and progression to Phase 3 of the route map. Businesses must now use this time to satisfy the necessary regulations and adapt to the new way of living."
Moray's key growth sector has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic.
Pre-coronavirus, tourism contributed around £130 million a year to the local economy and annual visitor numbers had reached nearly 800,000.
VisitScotland chief executive Malcolm Roughead said: "This is great news for tourism businesses who have been asking for a date to help them restart the summer season.
"It’s clear the Cabinet Secretary has been listening to the industry and I welcome this announcement. We will continue to support Scottish businesses to ensure they have the right information, support and guidance to open safely."
