Communities have to feel safe before travel restrictions end.

As a outdoor activity business on the NC500 I rely on tourism as my main income. Over the last few weeks I have noticed the want/need for people to resume travelling to places like the highlands versus the local communities wanting protecting from transmission of the virus.

For people wanting to get out and explore this is key to health and well being and something I also desperately want to be able to resume.

Many businesses will want to reopen as soon as possible but will not want to open if it jeopardises the safety of the local community or popularity within the community. Many businesses rely on each other, I provide activities, others provide accommodation or food and together we all succeed as one. A large percentage of these business will be operating as sole traders or micro businesses relying on seasonal tourism, their need to get operating and start earning is growing. Some will be new starts and ineligible for help due to the recent increase in foot fall that the highlands has seen.

A balance needs to be found.

Ideas are needed to strike a balance for businesses like mine that are desperate to reopen, want to protect their communities and meet their customer needs.

Why the contribution is important

Health, well being, tourism, economy and communities are relying on solutions to be found to these issues.

by TomTindale on May 10, 2020 at 02:05PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.6
Based on: 3 votes

Comments

  • Posted by cbellat May 10, 2020 at 14:19

    People before profit!

  • Posted by MikeJohnston May 10, 2020 at 14:19

    Please see my idea about the Acceptable Level of Death

  • Posted by Ideas81 May 10, 2020 at 14:44

    Let businesses that can operate safely reopen

  • Posted by Islander64 May 10, 2020 at 14:46

    Don’t think there’s an easy answer to this unfortunately, but health of residents must take precedence in any case. No death is acceptable if it’s avoidable.

  • Posted by TomTindale May 10, 2020 at 14:51

    Many businesses rely on each other, if theres no accommodation there is unlikely going to be people around for activities for example. Also the communities have to feel safe otherwise it will create tension. Its a bit of a double edged sword.

  • Posted by Jay32 May 10, 2020 at 16:03

    Agree with Islander64

  • Posted by Cw May 10, 2020 at 21:12

    Due to the lack of testing and tracing in the UK we have no useful data to go on to inform such decisions. We must then assume the worst; that allowing tourists to come to these areas would lead to a high level of spread of the virus.

    We already see people flouting the lock down rules, visiting beauty spots, and going into the local store. They may well be carrying the virus without knowing it and thus pass it on to the shop assistant. Who could then unwittingly pass it on to many vulnerable members of the community. The risk of this happening in England is much increased now they have been told they can travel freely to exercise and sunbathe!

    Currently our only defence in the UK against this virus seems to be the lock down. So I feel that until we either have a vaccinated population or thorough and effective test, track and trace protocols in place then we need to stay locked down.

    Hopefully these small communities and past and potential customers will value these vulnerable business's enough to support them through this time. If not they may well miss them afterwards.

  • Posted by Jack13 May 11, 2020 at 13:23

    I hope to support Scottish businesses more after lockdown rather than travelling abroad. If we can create an affordable tourist industry for our own nation then you will get the support. I Agree with islander64 no death is acceptable - hopefully you will get the support to survive and Scottish people support their own coming through the other side.

  • Posted by SU7seat May 11, 2020 at 13:43

    I am firmly in the people first camp, but part of supporting people is also supporting their economic stability. Perhaps its naive, I think there could be a way we can build acceptable criteria for accommodations (specifically) to allow some domestic travel - for example: if the accommodation is separate and not shared with other people, besides direct family (i.e. holiday home, yurt, pod, room), the owners should have the ability to responsibly decide whether or not they are open. They need to take the responsibility for their accommodation cleaning and upkeep (to protect themselves and others), but also the impact to their immediate community. That is not to say social distancing or antiviral hygiene should stop - it should still be required and followed as part of the responsibility of the travelers.
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