New 'tourist charter' issued for South West visitors

Tourism businesses, public health and local authorities from across the South of England have banded together in a broad partnership to produce guidance for visitors about COVID-19.

A 'tourist charter' has been devised by the group, which is based on the experiences of the Isle of Wight's recent test and trace pilot.

It gives simple advice to would-be visitors from booking ahead and reading terms and conditions, items to pack and things to avoid in light of the pandemic.

To complement this, a poster has also been produced for accommodation providers, that sets out the actions to take for guests who might start displaying symptoms whilst on holiday.

Councillor John Hart, leader of Devon County Council said: "This has been a truly collaborative effort across health, business, education, environmental health, and communications, bringing together Devon, Cornwall, Torbay and Plymouth, Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire.

"The team has consulted with local and national public health professionals, tourism bosses and local authority experts to produce the guidance, which has been approved by the NHS and tourism sector.

"We realised early on that the tourism businesses of Devon and Cornwall were facing an identical challenge to tourism across the country and decided to take action to help.

"We knew that one of the major concerns was how to balance a warm welcome with safety, so we have worked hard to create a constructive solution that can be used anywhere in the country.

"The reopening of tourism and hospitality will start the process of economic recovery. It's worth £2 billion to Devon alone, and one of our finest assets. We wish everyone well – and a good and healthy holiday."

Alistair Handyside MBE, chairman of the South West Tourism Alliance, commented: "Ensuring that visitors, as well as our businesses know what to do is essential, and whilst there has been a deluge of guidance, clear, simple advice on positive steps to take is a priority.

"We've been proud to support and work with the team to produce this information, and we now want to share it as widely as possible.

"Our members take satisfaction in providing safe, compliant, highly regulated, accommodation and attractions, and we want visitors – but also our host communities to know that we're good to go.

"With visitors' cooperation, we can ensure everyone has a great summer and a fabulous holiday here in the South West."