Calls for tourism industry date for trading

HOSPITALITY AND tourism bosses are calling on the Government to confirm when the tourism industry can return to trading.

There are fears that if the sector does re-open on July 4 it could lead to second spike in coronavirus cases as tourists flood to holiday destinations.

Tourism bosses had been predicting a bumper year for visitors, with green tourism driving a greater number of domestic holidaymakers to hotspots.

But instead the three-month lockdown has seen the industry closed and fears many businesses will not survive the pandemic.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the trade body UKHospitality, said: “We need confirmation of the reopening date for hospitality businesses without any further delay.

“Businesses need time to prepare and the first step in giving them some much-needed clarity is confirmation of when they can open their doors again”.

Recent figures laid bare the economic toll taken by lockdown, with gross domestic product (GDP) plunging a record 20.4 per cent in April.

In Cornwall, local leaders are to consider a report which recommends lobbying the Government to extend the furlough scheme to spring 2021 for the tourism sector.

Cornwall Council said the estimated loss to the tourism sector in the county will be £630m to the end of June.

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said if tourism and hospitality businesses could re-open safely, they should.

He said:“There are tens of thousands of jobs at risk here, as well as the supply chain,” he said.

In Wales, tourism is worth £3.2bn to the local economy and supports 40,000 jobs.