Guidance on Tourism and the Visitor Economy, published by the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, will help to get the tourism sector back up and running so the public can safely take domestic holidays and visit attractions on days out.
The Government has outlined the measures that will allow UK tourism and visitor attractions to reopen to the public, paving the way for an economic boost to local businesses and economies across the country.
“We’ll need the public to keep safe on holiday by following the advice we’re providing, but there is no doubt this is the news many have been waiting for. I am looking forward to a British holiday myself,” said Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden. “Our guidance will help the tourism businesses reopen safely, reassure locals and allow businesses to welcome guests back with confidence.”
The guidance outlines the processes and facilities that businesses must have in place to reopen so that both staff and visitors can be kept safe.
The advice includes guidelines for hotels and accommodation providers – such as campsites, caravan parks and short term lets – as well as indoor and outdoor visitor attractions and conference and events centres.
The guidance makes clear that a number of measures should be put in place.
- Hotels and accommodation providers will introduce deep cleaning regimes between guests.
- Meal services including breakfasts will be pre-booked and timed.
- Timed tickets will be introduced for exhibitions, theme parks, galleries and attractions to reduce the number of visitors in locations at the same time.
- One-way systems, clear floor markings and a queue management system should be in place to maintain social distancing measures at all attractions and help to limit contact between both staff and visitors.
- Organisations will also encourage cashless payments throughout to avoid cross contamination.
- In addition, visitor attractions will be instructed to introduce regular deep cleaning regimes across their site and some interactive displays will be temporarily closed.
A new industry standard will also be introduced by VisitEngland for hotels, accommodation providers and visitor attractions to reassure the public that businesses are adhering to government guidance. This will act as a marker to visitors that a venue is practising social distancing, maintaining cleaning routines and has undertaken a thorough risk assessment to protect customers when on site.
“Millions of jobs and local economies across England are reliant on tourism so it is fantastic news that the industry can plan with confidence to reopen and to welcome visitors back safely working within the new guidelines,” added VisitEngland Director Patricia Yates. “Guidance is also being published for conferences and events which builds upon the guidance for the tourism sector and businesses.”
