Many Britons dreaming of a post-lockdown holiday have cited Cornwall as one of the destinations they plan to visit once staycations are given the green lights. In anticipation of the influx of foot traffic, the seaside region has made the unprecedented decision to enforce strict new rules for holidaymakers.
With a recent survey by Clickstay finding that Cornwall was the number one domestic hotspot for Britons once phase 3 comes into action, VisitCornwall has revealed some measures it will be putting into place to keep locals and tourists safe.
Speaking to The Sun online Travel, boss Malcolm Bell explained: “A holiday in Cornwall this year will be a very different experience because of social distancing.”
The majority of popular attractions across the region will be reducing crowds by utilising timed ticketing.
Meanwhile, restaurants will ask customers to book in advance so that they can ensure they do not overstep capacity regulations.
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However, though the new rules might take some getting used to, the region is keen to welcome back tourism.
In April of this year, Mr Bell predicted eight in 10 Cornwall businesses which rely heavily on tourists could go under if the UK Government did not reopen the travel sector in time for the peak summer months.
Pubs, restaurants and accommodation were amongst those he suggested may be hardest hit if lockdown measures persisted into July and August.
What’s more, VisitBritain predicted the UK travel and tourism industry would be left with an £11 billion black hole if the measures lasted into August.
The UK’s tourism body encouraged Britons to look into holidays across the country as soon as it is deemed safe.
They suggest that UK holidaymakers could be the key to saving the sector.
Patricia Yates, chief executive of VisitBritain, said: “When Government advice changes and we are once more allowed to roam consider revisiting or exploring somewhere new and having an extra holiday at home.
“Our tourist sector is one of the most vibrant and successful in the world – it needs you to make sure it bounces back once more.”
Though Cornwall is likely to draw large swathes of tourism in the coming months, survey results show some other destinations are also providing attractive to holiday-starved Britons.
Devon, Dorset and Somerset were also listed in the Clickstay survey.
“The other flashpoint will be Scotland, where 21 percent of holidaymakers said they planned to go, despite Scotland’s current travel restrictions,” revealed a Clickstay spokesperson.
They added: “More than half of holidaymakers who usually go abroad are likely to book a holiday in the UK instead.