WITH foreign holidays still looking uncertain, British holiday hotspots are expecting a boom in staycationers when holiday homes, hotels and caravan parks reopen.
But if you’re planning on heading to Cornwall for a summer break, prepare for some big changes as a result of strict new rules on social distancing and strict hygiene practices to curb the spread of coronavirus.
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There is currently no definitive date for when hotels and holiday homes can reopen, but many are preparing for a July 4 start date.
When we do finally get the nod from the government, trips will involve a good deal more forward planning, as well as flexibility on any day trips when you reach your destination.
Visit Cornwall boss Malcolm Bell told Sun Online Travel: “The industry want to do what is right – that includes getting the right balance between lives and livelihoods.
“A holiday in Cornwall this year will be a very different experience because of social distancing.
“The bulk of popular attractions will be doing timed ticketing and all restaurants will be doing reservations.
“We need to also avoid people turning up and queuing at places, so for takeaway food like fish and chips, people will need to order their food online and then wait to be told when to collect it.
“So people will have to think ahead and book before they go on holiday.
“It will be the Center Parcs model in a way, where you book your meals out three weeks before you go – we’ll be like Center Parcs Cornwall. “
Similarly, travellers will be asked not to arrive in the county with a place to stay already booked.
Mr Bell said: “A lot of holiday parks are thinking about restricting camping numbers because of shared showers and toilets, so there will be a lot less capacity in certain places.
“Lot of campsites will have limited capacity when they reopen, so people who want to bung a tent in the back of the car and go down to Cornwall on a whim will have nowhere to stay.”
Holidaymakers will also have to be more prepared to spend time outdoors when the weather is bad, because most indoor attractions will either be closed or have caps on numbers.
Places like cinemas will need to limit guests in order to comply with social distancing and children’s soft play areas will likely stay closed.
It’s also worth bringing your own board games for a rainy day, as many holiday homes and hotels will have to get rid of theirs in order to prevent coronavirus spreading.
The Cornish tourism board are also asking visitors to police themselves if a popular destination gets too busy – and remove themselves from the area.
Mr Bell said: ” Be prepared to have to be part of the police if you turn up to somewhere busy.
“When it comes to beaches, we are lucky as we have more than 300 so plenty of choice.
“But on grey days, you might have to cross off Padstow and St Ives.”
Hotels and attractions in Cornwall have already warned that they could completely fold due to the lockdown, as experts warn up to 80 per cent of businesses could close for good unless they are able to open for the summer.
