Ross-shire hospitality sector figures join bid to propose May 17 reopening of tourism sector; Scottish Government insists decisions on coronavirus issues will be 'driven by data rather than arbitrary dates'
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KEY figures in Ross-shire's hospitality trade have warned of "untold damage" to the county's vital tourism sector and the thousands it employs because of confusion over the roadmap out of lockdown.
They have joined leading names in the industry to propose UK-wide full unlock and reopening of the tourism and hospitality industry on May 17.
That is line with the date set out for England and is a challenge to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's more cautious approach.
In response to her Holyrood announcement, over 80 businesses have joined forces to form the Hospitality & Tourism Action Group (HTAG), setting out their own timeframe for getting the industry back on its feet after almost 12 months of lockdowns and trade restrictions.
Ms Sturgeon's roadmap was met with what the group called "utter dismay, confusion and anger".
The group said the industry has rallied to all the challenges, leading to a successful and safe reopening in July 2020. It said uncertainty over the timeframe demonstrates "sheer disdain and contempt, not only for the industry and its employees but equally its customers and suppliers".
Supporters in Ross-shire include Dan and Rohaise Rose-Bristow of the Torridon Hotel, Nick Dent of Shieldaig Lodge, Judith Fish, of the Applecross Inn, Ray Grant, of Kincraig Castle, Joanna Macpherson of Attadale Gardens and John Shearer, proprietor of the Morangie House Hotel and Mansfield Castle Hotel in Tain.
The group – which is asking the Scottish Government to confirm an indicative date for re-opening of sector as happened last summer and align with the rest of the country – is led by Tanja Lister from the Kylesku Hotel. She said: "We’re calling for a more strategic alignment of tourism opening across the UK. The current plans, confusion and loss of confidence risk devastation for our industry and the lives and livelihoods linked to it.
“Also, the financial support on offer in 2021 is very much lacking in comparison to last year. We’re calling for full proper furlough reinstated until their businesses are allowed to open. Anything less risks many of our businesses not reaching the starting line. We need more meaningful grant support that is index linked to the rateable value of businesses. Leaving our businesses with such a significant shortfall now risks some falling at the last hurdle and would result in previous financial support having been in vain.”
Signatories include Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, who said the First Minister had failed to take the opportunity to provide detail, clarity, and certainty to the thousands of businesses.
She said: “What makes this muddle even more disappointing to us...is that it effectively means we are lagging behind our colleagues south of the border who already have an indicative date to reopen and as a result have already seen bookings come pouring in for late spring. We are now not only having to cancel and refund existing bookings, but we are also having to turn down bookings from south of the border."
The sector was yet to see any of the support packages announced in December reach the bank accounts of operators. She said: "There is no certainty that ongoing financial support will be forthcoming once we exit Level 4 and with no bookings in the foreseeable future many are in a perilous state. As an industry, we stand ready to lead the way for tourism to reopen in Scotland when it is safe to do so, by offering families a safe and managed environment to finally find respite after months of harsh lockdown.”
An online petition calling for a UK-wide unlock and reopening on May 17 can be found here
To date is has more than 3000 signatures.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "There is no doubt that tourism and hospitality are among the sectors worst hit by the pandemic. As the First Minister has set out, given the new, more infectious variant, it is important to be driven by the data more so than arbitrary dates when it comes to reopening the economy and we make no apology for that.
“No one wants these restrictions in place for a moment longer than necessary and we are committed to engaging with the tourism and hospitality sector on the gradual easing of measures, but it is necessary to be cautious and careful in our approach at this time and to prioritise education in the first instance. We will publish updated levels tables for the Strategic Framework in mid-March to provide further clarity on what businesses need to plan for as we exit lockdown.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week said: "First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I know how hard current restrictions are after 11 long months of this pandemic, however they are working and we can now see our way out of them. We are in a far better position now than at the start of January and these measures are initial steps on a slow, but hopefully steady, route back to much greater normality.
“Our intent remains to suppress the virus to the lowest possible level and keep it there, while we strive to return to a more normal life for as many people as possible.
“At the moment, and for a bit longer, we need to rely very heavily on restrictions to suppress the virus. This is essential when the virus is so transmissible, and when case numbers are still quite high.
“In time though - once the vast majority of the adult population has received at least one dose of the vaccine - we hope that vaccination will become our main tool for suppressing the virus. The Strategic Framework is deliberately cautious at this stage but in the coming weeks, if the data allows and positive trends continue, we will seek to accelerate the easing of restrictions.”
