Hotel quarantine triggers cancellations for inbound tourism

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Since the removal of travel corridors and the introduction of quarantine hotels, our members have received hundreds of cancellations for spring 2021,” said Joss Croft, chief executive of UKInbound. “When people can travel again we expect strong demand, but our industry can’t open back up overnight, and businesses that work in the inbound tourism sector can’t begin their recovery until a road map is in place.” But at the same time, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, warned: “We are very likely to advise against booking Easter holidays either overseas or within Scotland, as it is highly unlikely that we will have been able to fully open hotels or self-catering accommodation by then.” A few minutes later, VisitScotland sent a marketing email to prospective visitors with the message: “Check out our favourite city hotspots, from romantic castles to exotic botanical gardens, which will you add to your wishlist?” All holidays to, from and within the UK are currently illegal. In August, which was the main summer month for travel, the best performing region for overnight visitors was southwest England – mainly Cornwall and Devon – which hit 72 per cent of the previous year. Speaking on LBC Radio, Patricia Yates said: “We’re not looking for international travel to start coming back until towards the end of the year.”