TOURISM Minister and Droitwich’s MP Nigel Huddleston is urging residents to take a great British holiday this summer, safe from the dangers of Covid-19.
Mr Huddleston spoke after Visit England, in partnership with the national tourist organisations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, launched a UK-wide ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard and consumer mark to provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for tourism as the sector works towards reopening.
The mark means businesses can demonstrate they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance, have carried out a Coronavirus risk assessment and checked they have the required processes in place.
The scheme is free to join and open to all businesses across the industry.
Mr Huddleston said: “I want to encourage the public to experience a great British holiday this summer and be confident that they can do so safely.
“This new industry standard will show people that tourism businesses, destinations and attractions are adhering to the guidance. It puts safety first and is an important move in getting this industry back up and running.”
It follows Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s latest relaxing of the lockdown rules which – from next Saturday, July 4 – enables pubs, restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites and caravan parks all to open, provided they follow the Government’s guidelines.
VisitEngland Director Patricia Yates said: “With millions of jobs and local economies across the country reliant on tourism it is essential that businesses can get up and running as soon as the respective Government advice allows to capture the peak British summer season.
“We want visitors to be able to enjoy their holidays and to support businesses to be confident they have the correct procedures in place.
“Our priority is to make sure tourism rebounds to once again become one of the most successful sectors of the UK economy and this ‘ring of confidence’ is a crucial step on the industry’s road to rebuilding.”
To obtain the mark businesses must complete a self-assessment through the online platform including a check-list confirming they have put the necessary processes in place, before receiving certification and the We’re Good To Go mark for display in their premises and online.
Businesses across the UK are assessed according to their respective national guidance including the social distancing and cleanliness protocols that must be in place.
In England businesses align with the UK Government’s official guidance for the sector including ‘Working Safely during Covid-19 – Visitor Economy’. An ‘alert’ system ensures that businesses signed up to the standard are notified of any changes to the official guidance.
A call-handling service provides support and assessors would also carry-out random spot-checks to ensure adherence.
The scheme has been developed in partnership with Tourism Northern Ireland, VisitScotland and Visit Wales to ensure a standard-led approach across the UK with input from more than 40 industry bodies including UKHospitality, the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, the British Beer and Pub Association and the National Caravan Council as well as destination management organisations across the country.
The self-assessment includes specific guidelines for sectors including accommodation, visitor attractions, restaurants and pubs, business conference and events venues and tour and coach operators with signposting to further industry and trade association guidance as required.
The We’re Good To Go scheme is being operated by VisitEngland who has been running assessment schemes for many years.
Alongside the industry standard VisitEngland is also launching a Know Before You Go public information campaign to support tourism in England as businesses start to re-open, reassuring visitors as restrictions are lifted by checking about what it is safe to do and when and sign-posting to information about destinations and available services before travelling.
- FROM beautiful rolling countryside and mountains to traditional seaside towns, the UK has some amazing places to visit? What are your favourite places to go to when holidaying in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and why do you like them? Email your views to [email protected]
