Arran businesses need to know when they can fully reopen
VisitArran has been working with colleagues from other islands to try and push for an urgent clarification on island reopening, writes Hugh Boag.
This has included Orkney, Skye, Outer Hebrides, Argyll and Cumbrae, and the tourist body is maintaining that Arran will reopen on April 26 in line with the Scottish mainland.
No update was given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at her latest briefing on Tuesday on the Scottish islands’ situation, and the Scottish Tourism Alliance is calling for official government clarification on reopening.
A statement, drafted by Rob McKinnon from Outer Hebrides Tourism and cosigned by VisitArran, said: ‘Tourism businesses across Scotland’s islands have been left battling for their survival after being excluded from government plans for easing lockdown at the end of April.
‘Across the islands, where tourism is the main industry, up to a third of businesses say they are unlikely to survive an extension to the ban on visitors.
‘Three weeks ago the first minister announced a timetable for mainland travel to resume on April 26, and has since confirmed that this remained the government’s aspiration.
‘Neither statement referenced an opening date for the islands, triggering a wave of cancellations from visitors seeking certainty, who have reluctantly opted for alternative holidays on the Scottish mainland. With less than three weeks to go, government emails today confirmed there is ‘No definitive timescale or specific dates’ for the islands. The islands do not know how they will be treated, with only a vague commitment to respond in a ‘couple of weeks’.
‘Tourism businesses from across the island groups met virtually last week to demand a level playing field from the Scottish government on arrangements to end Scotland’s lockdown. The approach taken has already caused unnecessary confusion and millions of pounds of damage. By acting quickly the government can stop the situation becoming even worse. However, we are worried, that with an election in progress, this is dominating minds in Holyrood.
‘A failure to provide any robust reasons why the islands have been selected for special treatment, against a background of falling case numbers and major progress with vaccinations, is adding to frustrations. We are told that arrangements in place for the mainland are not safe for the islands, despite operating successfully on the islands last summer without widespread transmission between the local and visitor populations.
‘We are calling for the government to end its discrimination against our islands and urgently clarify arrangements for opening of the Scottish islands.’