Uncertain start to tourism season
But positive outlook for when it gets under way
Kintyre’s hospitality and tourism business owners are facing up to the prospect of another Easter in lockdown.
Many operators whose businesses have been closed for months had been hoping to reopen in time for Easter on April 4 as Scotland’s coronavirus vaccination programme rolls out, but the Scottish Government announced last Monday that hospitality is unlikely to reopen before April 26.
Even if lockdown is lifted, Scotland is likely to remain at level three coronavirus restrictions, with travel for ‘essential reasons only’, and tourists advised ‘not to travel in or out for holidays or visits’.
Emma Macalister Hall, of Torrisdale Estate, which hosts self-catering accommodation and Beinn an Tuirc Distillers, said: ‘The vague announcement last Monday was hugely frustrating as we still can’t really plan for reopening and if we’re put back into the tier system, it may not be worth it.
‘Our summer bookings for the holiday cottages are very good and we anticipate being busy in the summer, but it really doesn’t help that Scotland’s plans are different from England which is our second biggest market.
‘Scottish policy isn’t reported widely in England either, so many people south of the border are unaware that they can’t confidently book spring holidays.’
One Kintyre hotelier, who did not want to be named, said: ‘The lack of any opening date to work to in respect of advance bookings is a real problem.
‘It would be much better to provide a date for hospitality opening fully – as the UK Government has done – even if this has to be changed at a later date. Everyone then knows where they stand, and can make plans. The current limbo situation stultifies hospitality providers and guests alike, and benefits no one.’
Maurice Whelan and Steve Reid, who opened guest house Carradales in 2018, said: ‘As a new business, we have taken a huge hit financially and mentally. We are extremely grateful for any assistance from central government but this is a short-term fix and, of course, will have to be paid back.
‘If the rest of the UK opens up its hospitality before Scotland, it is Scotland that will lose out financially and many more businesses will go to the wall. If other parts of the UK can open up, then why can’t Scotland?’
While sharing many of the concerns, some business owners are feeling more positive about the season ahead.
Zofija Sloan, owner at Glenbarr Stores, said: ‘As we head into spring and the weather’s getting brighter, we’re looking forward to opening the doors to our café once again and welcoming visitors to the house at Glenbarr when restrictions are lifted – especially as more people choose a staycation over a foreign holiday this year.
‘Whilst the past year has presented plenty of challenges, we’re optimistic that we’re nearing the end of the toughest restrictions and that things will bounce back, with tourism in the area driven by domestic visitors if not by travellers from further afield this summer.’
Nick Fletcher, of the Argyll Hotel in Bellochantuy, added: ‘It has been a difficult year for many in the hospitality and tourism sector but that is true also of many other sectors, including hairdressers, shops and gyms. Even many businesses that are open will have felt the strain.
‘We are all living in hope of things improving from the end of April, but I expect it may be a slower process for hospitality to move back toward almost full reopening. Thankfully, many in hospitality have been in receipt of support from the Scottish Government to help in weathering what has been a challenging time.
‘But now is the time, as a sector, to look ahead and try to reap something from the expected boom in the staycation market. We look forward to welcoming people to Kintyre in a safe way both for them and for all us living in Kintyre too, as we proved we could do in the late summer and autumn of last year.’