Self Catering Tourism

Self catering holiday tourism should be able to open up before hotels and b&bs. Social distancing and strict cleaning measures can be adhered to.

Why the contribution is important

Self catering holiday cottages are probably the easiest source of tourism to get started back up. There will be increased demand for staycations while people cannot travel abroad. The grants provided at the moment no where near cover overheads as self catering businesses have to income coming in at all as they do not know when lockdown will end and at present can accept money for bookings that are later in the year that have been booked in since last year

by Stephaniekeachie on May 05, 2020 at 08:40PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.9
Based on: 37 votes

Comments

  • Posted by LAM May 05, 2020 at 21:10

    Yes I would support this. Many of my regular guests have already asked about early summer/summer bookings which I have not taken so far. Many seem quite happy to come even if the tourist attractions, restaurants and bars are still shut. The Spey Valley where my property is relies heavily on tourism to support the vast array of shops etc. I don't see why people would behave any differently than they would at home. I have not applied for any grants so far but will be forced to if the complete ban remains in place much longer since I cannot afford to pay the overheads forever with no income.

  • Posted by trixie May 05, 2020 at 21:39

    I would not want to come to a holiday apartment yet as there is no guarantee that everything would be sterile. I particularly would not want to come if the shops, restaurants and bars weren’t open.

  • Posted by Bethan May 05, 2020 at 21:45

    Yes,it would even be possible to enforce a 3 day gap between holiday-goers as well as strict cleaning regimes

  • Posted by jamiehamy May 05, 2020 at 21:54

    A good idea.

  • Posted by EmmaT May 05, 2020 at 21:55

    As an owner of a self contained apartment which is attached to our house we don't qualify for any grants. We had a whole summer of guests lined up and now all cancelling. I know that given a good few days in-between bookings for deep cleaning our apartment could be used. Also just had 3 of our chippies opening for takeaways so at least tourists will have those 🙄

  • Posted by Elainey May 05, 2020 at 22:37

    I have both self catering and bed and breakfast accommodation. I dont think self catering should take precedence over bed and breakfasts which have staff on site to clean/ supervise the situation. It is possible to close common areas, and serve breakfast at differing times or in bedrooms. What is important is that we have advance notice of what is needed so we can prepare.

  • Posted by Jeannie May 05, 2020 at 22:57

    Not happy about this at all as there would then be an influx of people from high risk areas flooding into rural areas
    There has already been reports of holiday home owners letting their properties during lockdown and it’s a hard area to police
    No tourists until our hospitals can cope with there normal workload without the worry of a second wave of this virus
    I feel sorry for people losing there income but it would not be fair on rural communities to risk infecting them by letting properties

  • Posted by Stephaniekeachie May 06, 2020 at 07:23

    We have self catering cottages and have been operating for over 30 years we have 3 cottages that we clean ourselves after the guests have left you don’t need 3 days to fully clean a cottage properly from top to bottom. Guests bring their own linen (towels and bedding covers)

    Many holiday cottage owners are finding that their insurance companies aren’t covering cancellations that they are having to make. We have bookings that were made last year for this year with deposits received last year and balances due to be paid shortly. The deposits have been spent on cottage overheads (cleaning gardening electric) we cannot accept the balance as we don’t know if guests can come. We have no income coming in at all. We do not do short breaks most guests are here for 7 days although some are here for 14days. We have received a single £10,000 grant when the actually running costs of the business are nearer £30,000 across the 3 properties and the fishing. We currently have £11,000 of bookings to refund from the period of the lockdown until the end of June.

  • Posted by mary May 06, 2020 at 09:22

    Opening self catering accommodation would be low risk as social distancing could be easily observed.

    Rural communities should be reasured that this (as for other measures) would only commence once infection rates had reduced and test trace and isolate were in place.

  • Posted by RobertDG May 06, 2020 at 17:18

    As a rural self-catering operator we know that there is demand from guests to come and enjoy our properties. Our properties are isolated and a perfect way to open up our country for business again.

    All of our staff will receive full training on the correct cleaning procedures.

  • Posted by Ginakeenan May 06, 2020 at 17:45

    No self-catering till it's safe to do so. Rural places don't have either medical or shop facilities for extra people. Holidays are a luxury and at the moment it's a luxury we can't afford in the rural districts!

  • Posted by beatebennek May 07, 2020 at 00:44

    If we open shops in smaller places we need tourists. Shops won't survive on locals alone

  • Posted by Colin87 May 07, 2020 at 06:38

    I agree with this proposal and especially a three day gap between bookings is very sensible. I am concerned at the view that holiday makers are likely to be coming from high risk areas and will infect the locals- not necessarily true at all but holidaymakers may not recieve the warm Scottish welcome that they deserve if locals feel like this.

  • Posted by CitizenL May 07, 2020 at 07:01

    In the early phase of easing of movement perhaps self catering could be open just for regional staycations. E.g you can holiday in a cottage within your own region. This would allow families to take holidays which are self contained and measured.

  • Posted by JoeBloggs May 08, 2020 at 15:16

    Agree with the need to allow self-contained, self catering units to re-open as soon as safely possible. Our family has a holiday booked at a Scottish self catering house later in the summer, and it is all we have to look forward to at the moment. Once there our children are much more likely to get out in the fresh air. We can easily adhere to the social distancing guidelines exactly as we would in our own property. Holidays are not always a luxury item, they are a boost to morale and fantastic for good mental health.

  • Posted by DHenderson May 11, 2020 at 17:00

    Will this not potentially put a strain on local services if anyone brings the virus with them, even unknowingly? Residents in remote areas can tell when they have visitors staying rather than just locals. I don't know how much someone will enjoy their holiday in remote areas when the residents are fuming at them for bringing increased risk to their community.

  • Posted by Cathol May 11, 2020 at 17:58

    Agree. Many self catering properties
    Are not eligible for grants so no income.
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