Millions of people have had to cancel their holiday plans because of coronavirus this year, and now the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) – which represents 5,000 rural tourism businesses – is urging them to re-book breaks in the UK once it is safe to do so.
Choosing a ‘staycation’ is not only greener but is a great way to support the local economy.
Rural tourism is worth £18.5 billion a year to the economy and employs over 600,000 people. Yet, almost overnight, many businesses have shut down for an unknown period of time. This is having crippling consequences on a beloved industry.
Going on holiday in the UK is also one of the easiest steps you can take to reduce your emissions. An average domestic flight gives off three times more Co2 emissions per km travelled compared to travelling in a car.
Many farms now provide holiday lets, camping, bed and breakfasts and farm stays as a way to support their business. These farmers, who have already suffered from flooding and uncertain trading conditions, now face another hammering to their income. They need the support of British holidaymakers after this crisis is over.
The CLA is seeking reassurances from the UK Government on support for the sector, such as:
- A clear definition of which businesses make up the tourism industry so every business that needs it can access relevant Government support schemes.
- Fast payments of financial support to struggling firms, including wage cost support.
- A flexible approach from the insurance industry when dealing with rural tourism business claims.
- Clear and prompt guidance on what will happen to support schemes in the next 3-6 months so businesses can put in place recovery plans.
CLA Vice President Victoria Vyvyan said:
“Once the coronavirus pandemic is over, millions of people will want to take a well-deserved break.
Article continues below this advertisement “When re-booking their holidays, we are asking people to consider staying in the great British countryside to support local businesses. The hard truth is that thousands of businesses, who are extremely welcoming to their guests, will go bust without their support.
“Choosing a staycation not only helps out small businesses up and down the country, but is also a great way to lower your carbon footprint.”
CLA South East represents farmers, landowners and rural businesses across Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
Quite a coincidence that for the last couple of years a huge amount of investment has gone into revamping and opening up UK and Island holiday parks.
Seems they got lucky.
Perhaps lucky is not the right word, but yes, there has been a lot of money spent on staycations on the Island.
Perhaps this is the beginning of the new Tory plan, where the plebs can only afford to holiday at home, and by pricing out fossil fuel cars they will no longer afford to buy electric vehicles, as easy credit now will cease. Meaning for the well heeled, the roads will become quiet for them once more, and their wonderful exotic holiday locations will not be littered up with chavs and swarming with their tax credit kept feral children urinating in the pool or worse.
A fast changing world now, the Island could do well from it if the council haven’t built it to ruination first thus detracting from it’s holiday appeal as a rural beauty spot but an urban sprawl with the delightful tenants imported from elsewhere for a ‘price’.
One thing I will challenge you on is the fact you say feral children, yes chavs annoy me just as much as the next person, but I do not believe for one second the children should be blamed for there parents shortcomings. That’s one thing that annoys me more than anything is the fact people automatically blame the children.
Islander, whilst realising that little innocent children are not to be blamed for their parents shortcoming, when exactly IS it ok to blame in your understanding and wise eyes?
When they are 21, or 18, or 16, or becoming teenagers?
Clearly their parents, as was Hitler and Jimmy Saville were all innocent ‘once’
So, we can all use our parents, upbringing or mental defects to cry our ‘innocents’.
If you have children, you will see from a quite young age that they know right from wrong, and if the role model is bad, clearly that will skew their judgement for longer, but, by early teens, they via school, the media, and others involved in their life, ought to know right from wrong imo.
Either way, since the underclasses have been paid to breed, rather than have to work harder or go without more to then have children that they ‘wanted’ society has never been so bad.
And if the masses become more impoverished I am certain that many middle classes will enjoy their travel, and destination much more without the ‘innocents’ in tow, screaming, running amok, and having no respect for anything but themselves.
Try living amongst such in an open plan garden, or having a decent car parked near where such run wild, by your comments I am guessing you don’t.
As houses in such locations are cheap because of such, then perhaps you could sell up move, and see if they are as pleasant as you seem to imagine them to be. But you won’t.
Maybe, people will not holiday in the U.K. Maybe they will say, I remember the abuse, finger pointing, and nasty comments about Holliday makers and second home owners spreading the virus. Irrespective of the fact Islanders were still commuting to Virus riddled London well into April. Maybe they will remember pathetic “memes” saying “Stay away, we are closed” and “not welcome, go home”. Understandably the underlying message is correct but some people have gone about it in the wrong way. Maybe they will go somewhere that, when the chips are down, were more civil in their tone about the need for tourists. You reap what you sow.
Maybe, people will not holiday in the U.K. Maybe they will say, I remember the abuse, finger pointing, and nasty comments about Holliday makers and second home owners spreading the virus. Irrespective of the fact Islanders were still commuting to Virus riddled London well into April. Maybe they will remember pathetic “memes” saying “Stay away, we are closed” and “not welcome, go home”. Understandably the underlying message is correct but some people have gone about it in the wrong way. Maybe they will go somewhere that, when the chips are down, were more civil in their tone about the need for tourists. You reap what you sow.
is good no come,. as us islander not want people on here woo not live in wight.
Lots of people used to holiday here, before the ferry prices became ridiculous, & their delays & cancellations spoil travellers plans! Time for a fixed link solentfreedomtunnel.co.uk