St Andrews puts emphasis on safety as it looks to welcome visitors back

St Andrews is one of Scotland’s top five destinations for tourists and it is hoped visitors will come flocking back.

Figures obtained by The Courier estimate 135,000 overnight visitors to Fife (19%) last year were from overseas; accounting for a total of 1,202,000 nights and a total overall spend of £109.4 million.

Of those, 3,000 (2%) were visiting for the purpose of study, accounting for a total of 328,000 nights (27%) and a total overall spend of £10.5m – highlighting the significance of St Andrews University to tourism in Fife.

With international restrictions remaining in place, and events like the Open golf championship – a huge money-spinner for the area – pushed back until 2022, the town is working hard to demonstrate its commitment to safe working practices to encourage people to visit.

More than 300 local businesses and community groups have come together to create the StaySafe St Andrews Charter, outlining the steps they have taken to promote safety.

It commits signatories to a “wholetown approach” to meeting standards prescribed by government and is embodied by ‘five Cs’: Clean, covering hygiene and cleaning protocols;

considerate, providing appropriate protective equipment for staff and visitors and ensuring social distancing;

cautious, by committing to effective and ongoing training and rapid response to any changes in guidance;

clear communications, in terms of messages put out and on social media; and community-minded, taking steps to promote the local economy and ensuring accessibility for all.

Debbie MacCallum, chairwoman of Tourism St Andrews, said tourism accounted for one in five jobs in St Andrews, so it was vital that everyone works together to protect the sector.

“By creating a clear and co-ordinated response to the challenges of tourism in a time of Covid-19, St Andrews will be able to protect our local communities while extending our world-famous warm welcome to visitors coming to visit our wonderful beaches, shops, open spaces, golf and hospitality,” she added.

St Andrews councillor Jane Ann Liston said: “This excellent initiative comes from those who know how tourism in St Andrews actually works on the ground; there is no substitute for the local knowledge of grassroots businesses.

“Tourism St Andrews has done its homework and we can now say loud and clear ‘Welcome back – St Andrews is open for business’.”

Helen McBride, general manager of the Old Course Hotel, said: “Tourism St Andrews, with its StaySafe St Andrews Charter, clearly demonstrates that if we work together for the good of all, we will come back strongly from the challenges we have all faced from the Covid-19 pandemic.”