Tourism Sector (Summer Holidays)

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 10 March 2021.

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Photo of Lewis Macdonald Lewis Macdonald Labour

1. To ask the Scottish Government what criteria the tourism sector must meet to ensure that people’s summer holiday bookings will be honoured. (S5O-05098)

Photo of Fergus Ewing Fergus Ewing Scottish National Party

The main criteria, which all operators must satisfy, are that they are following the guidance and not acting outwith the regulations at any time. The precise legal requirements for the summer season are not yet known. We continue to pursue a cautious and gradual path out of lockdown, but we are hopeful that the Scottish domestic tourism sector will be open in time for the summer season, due to the efforts of all of society and the progress of the vaccine programme.

Photo of Lewis Macdonald Lewis Macdonald Labour

I am sure that those hopes will be shared by all members across the chamber, as they will be by all who are involved in tourism and hospitality in Scotland.

Although people understand the Government’s difficulty in setting any dates at the moment, they are keen to know which criteria will have to be met before that can happen. Does the cabinet secretary agree that it would be valuable to identify the triggers that will lead to tourism businesses being given the green light to reopen, for the sake of both their own forward planning and that of their customers?

Photo of Fergus Ewing Fergus Ewing Scottish National Party

We are all keen to see tourism restarting, but it is correct that we take a cautious approach. The triggers for restarting will, of course, be based on an assessment of the relevant public health evidence from epidemiologists, and will proceed on that basis. However, we are hopeful that we will see significant progress, given the success in tackling the virus combined with the fact that we have delivered more than 1.7 million doses of the vaccine and our aim is for every adult to be vaccinated by the end of July.

When restart happens—plainly, consideration is being given to precisely that—we will of course proceed in a gradual way. For example, last year, we started off by reopening self-contained premises such as self-catering accommodation, including caravans and caravan sites, because they allow people to have a holiday while staying within their bubble. Such an approach might commend itself again this year.

I am working hard with the sector and am engaging with it every day. In the past three days, I have had five meetings with various tourism interests. It is most certainly an issue on which there is an appetite for the provision of further information as quickly as possible, so we are working towards that end as I speak.

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

Two members wish to ask supplementary questions. I will try to take them both if everyone is quick.

Photo of Kenneth Gibson Kenneth Gibson Scottish National Party

Will the Scottish Government provide additional support for travel businesses that have been devastated by the current crisis? Will it also outline a road map for the eventual reopening of the industry, given that travel has been the service sector of our economy that has been hit hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic?

Photo of Fergus Ewing Fergus Ewing Scottish National Party

We have been providing additional financial support for the sector. We also wish to provide as much clarity as possible on a road map for its eventual reopening. It is important to say that the section of the Scottish tourism sector that relies on international travel has been hit hardest of all. I take this opportunity to stress just how important international inbound travel is. Only this morning I was speaking to tour operators who stressed that people who come to play golf in Scotland or to enjoy the excellent hospitality, food and drink in our fine hotels and restaurants are a vital part of their businesses. Many such businesses—particularly those in our cities, but also those in rural Scotland—depend on international inbound custom from visitors, which prior to the Covid crisis was collectively worth £2 billion. I mention that because it is easy to neglect that segment of our tourism sector. I am delighted to have the chance to put that right now.

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

I apologise to other members who requested to speak; I will have to move on.