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UK summer holidays CAN take place this year – if Brits can be persuaded they are safe, says tourism boss
UK summer breaks CAN take place this year but holidaymakers need to be persuaded they are safe, a tourism boss has claimed.
Visit Britain boss Patricia Yates says the crisis could actually boost British tourism and urged the nation to take a holiday later in the year.
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She also revealed Visit Britain had held discussions with the Government about an extra bank holiday in October.
Ms Yates explained: "I think that’s an idea that’s being considered, to have a bank holiday around the October half term.
"Because what we’re going to need to do is not just stimulate people in July and August but really extend the season this year for the domestic market."
Appearing in front of the DCMS committee, Ms Yates claimed staying in the UK was vital for the industry.
She said: “To get British tourism up and running this summer, and this summer is hugely important is we need that domestic audience.
“The worrying thing is the lack of confidence in the British public about travelling, so 74 per cent who have a holiday booked for July and September don’t think that holiday will take place.
"Only 19 per cent of people are thinking of booking a domestic holiday for the summer.
"And that’s much lower than competitor destinations, in Italy they are talking about 43 per cent of their domestic audience will holiday domestic."
Ms Yates was also asked about Greece's offer today to not quarantine Brits for two weeks if they were allowed to come here without being detained.
Greek tourism minister Harry Theoharis called for the UK to stop the two-week quarantine for Greek tourists, and would reciprocate the favour for Brits entering Greece in turn.
She said: "It's quite interesting, it would be good to choose the countries available to us for inbound markets.
We have an international market, our regional director is saying America is ready to go.
"An airbridge between us and America could be very valuable to us."
Ms Yates urged Brits to travel within the UK, and pleaded with the Government to do more to convince them.
She said: "It has to be the year of domestic tourism.
"There’s a real job to be done there in convincing people it’s socially responsible to travel and enjoy a holiday and that it’s safe to do so.”
The tourism expert also claimed UK travel could be boosted beyond the next 18 months by the crisis.
Brits are currently allowed to take day trips but cannot stay overnight.
In further good news for holidaymakers, a senior minister revealed UK campsites could be allowed to reopen from July.
Asked about camping, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey told Sky today: "Having come from Suffolk down to London, I know there are a lot of campsites that are very keen for people to come.
"Some of this is being carefully considered, recognising that we have a reduced outdoor transmission risk, that things like camping may well become suitable."
Hotels and hostels will be allowed to open as part of the Government's three phase plan, but this won't be til July at the earliest.
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Yesterday trips to France were looking more unlikely than ever this summer as it was revealed the 14-day quarantine exemptions won't include tourists.
Spanish holidays are also unlikely - the country has since banned Brits until June 15 at the earliest, with UK tourists also forced to quarantine for 14 days.
With the quarantine also enforced when returning to the UK, it could mean four weeks of annual leave for a two-week holiday.
Last month European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she was optimistic people would be able to travel as coronavirus was brought under control.
Yesterday Brits were given hope for summer holidays after Grant Shapps confirmed ministers are looking at "travel bridges" between countries with low Covid infections.
The Transport Secretary said that the Government were looking at allowing people to fly between countries where the spread of the virus is low.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Shapps said it the plan of only allowing travel between Covid-safe areas was just one thing being looked at, alongside the plan to quarantine all arrivals for 14 days.
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Everyone who comes into the UK will have to isolate for a fortnight under Government plans, which are set to begin in June.
Mr Shapps said in the House of Commons: "The final details of the quarantine scheme will be released soon, coming in early next month."
And he added: "It is the case that we would indeed consider further improvements for example, things like air bridges, enabling people from other areas and countries who have themselves achieved lower levels of growth virus infection, to come into the country.
"So those are the active discussions, but will go beyond what will initially be a blanket situation."
As it stands, only lorry drivers and key workers are expected to be exempt from the new quarantine rules, when they come in - dashing hopes of a summer holiday for many.
But the idea of travel bridges to areas of low infection will give Brits a boost that if our rate of infections continues to fall, Brits may be able to jet off on a getaway in the coming months.
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Hope for summer holidays as Grant Shapps confirms ministers looking at travel between areas with low Covid infections
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