Greece has announced that visitors from the UK will remain excluded when it opens up for tourists in the near future, raising concerns that holidays abroad my be off the agenda for Brits this year.
The UK’s high infection rate and number of coronavirus cases has forced a number of countries to consider pushing back the date that Britons can visit, says the Daily Mirror. But holidays within the UK could return as early as the start of July, according to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
“I would love to get the tourism sector up as quickly as we possibly can,” Dowden told the Downing Street press conference last week. “You won’t get a bigger champion of the great British break than me.”
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Since 11 May, the government has allowed people to spend time sitting outdoors, enjoying the fresh air, picnicking or sunbathing in one-to-one groups, says Good Housekeeping.
While that will be expanded to include larger groups from Monday, no overnight stays are allowed for now - meaning the hospitality industry remains shut down.
UK holiday accommodation will reopen no earlier than 4 July, and will only be permitted to do so then if the government is satisfied the infection rate of the coronavirus is low enough, adds Which?
If the UK holiday industry can get back on its feet for a few months this summer, then the normal British holiday spots are expected to be busy. Visitors are expected to flock to everywhere from the Lake District to Cornwall to Barnard Castle.
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Earlier this month, the Financial Times reported that the government is planning to “call on Britons to holiday at home”. Industry body Visit Britain has asked ministers to “unlock the great British holiday”, says The Telegraph.
The paper notes that in France, regional tourism leaders have “called on their government to introduce a holiday voucher scheme to encourage domestic travel once the lockdown eases further”.
The proposed scheme would see those on lower incomes being eligible to receive a state-funded chèques vacances which can be used to “kickstart local tourism”.
