Visitor Economy Working Group meeting – 15 September

Marc Crothall attended the bi-weekly Visitor Economy Working Group this morning; much of the discussion was centred around feedback on the Rule of 6, albeit the English version.

All contributors cited cancellations as a result, Kurt Jansen from the Tourism Alliance said that self catering specifically has been impacted as in England the absolute maximum number is six people from up to 6 households. Potentially a marketing opportunity for Scotland’s self-catering community to promote that they can accommodate larger groups, given under 12’s don’t count so long as limit is maintained to just two households.

Bernard Donoghue from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions referred to the fact that a number of the UK’s major attractions are all now starting to make significant redundancies. Kate Nicholls pointed out that c450k which is roughly 50% of the total increase of unemployed is from the hospitality and tourism sector and this is only set to rise if there are no government interventions or support forthcoming, with furlough ending and consumer confidence going backwards as a result of the new Rule of 6.

Big concern with the new rule is a recent survey suggesting it has damaged consumer confidence just when things were beginning to turn following a successful Eat Out to Help Out.

Tourism Minister, Nigel Huddleston advised there will be ongoing reviews and that the tourism debate last week in parliament saw strong support from both sides for future support measures for the industry to be considered and put in place.