Calls to allow first phase of re-opening of Welsh holiday parks

The request, from The National Holiday and Home Park Alliance, comes as some of the other coronavirus restrictions begin to be eased to different degrees across the UK.

The organisation's director David Prince, who owns Vicarage Park in Ffynnongroyw, Flintshire, said: "Gradually is the watchword, but as lockdown restrictions continue to ease and public places become increasingly populated, surely now is the time to commence the partial re-opening of holiday parks.

"[We are] working tirelessly with our members preparing a safe and timely phased re-opening strategy.

"The National Holiday and Home Park Alliance has suggested only holiday home owners return to their fixed holiday destinations first as they are able to travel to their holiday homes directly by car, and access their homes with their own keys and without contact with anyone else.

"Self-contained holiday homes are organically well equipped for social distancing as they are adequately spaced apart in accordance with the relevant legislation, and there is no need for public facilities on the park to open as reception tasks can continue be carried out remotely.

"Planning for this phase is well underway, and our members are placing the interests of their local communities at the heart of their plans.

"We recognize that strict safety measures are paramount for the protection of staff, boosting customer confidence and the need to protect the people that live near our parks too.

"It is our duty and responsibility to do all we can to protect and reassure our local communities.

"Our members are mindful that by only opening up one aspect of their usually multi-faceted business first, and reducing the quantity of potential visitors into their areas, they are prioritizing the needs of their local communities.

Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford

"Visitors on short term holidays to self-contained rented holiday homes, camping and touring holidays and visitors to bars and restaurants will all be welcomed back at a later date, when the science deems it safe to do so.

"In the meantime, the NH&HPA have been collaborating with experts in the health and safety industry, and our members in order to prepare for our new COVID-19 normal.

"Measures are in place such as CCTV technology to support the Government’s track and trace system and ensure that social distancing is adhered to."

Asked about the issue by the Leader, First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford said: "The impact that the lockdown and COVID-19 has had on tourism right across Wales continues to be felt and we continue to work with that sector.

"The basic proposition that we are going to have to have a phased return to tourism is one that we recognise and the basic proposition of starting with self-contained properties where there is no sharing of facilities and allowing people to go back and use those places would come before others.

"We are not at a point now where we can even agree to that happening, but we will be considering that during this next three week review.

"There is, from what I have seen so far, a genuine distinction in risk terms for those for example that are staying in a holiday cottage – which is entirely self-contained with their own bathroom and kitchen than those who would stay on a site with lots of shared facilities because that is what this virus loves; shared facilities where it can travel from home-to-home and person-to-person.

"Nevertheless, there will be at least a couple of important hurdles to think about.

"One is the stay local message, so whilst people may think they are free to travel as far as they want to get to the destination, people would then be bound by that rule once they reach their destination. "The second major hurdle is to do with community consent because we certainly see it in north west Wales that communities are very anxious indeed about places being reopened and seeing these second home owners that don’t self-contain."

Mr Prince told our sister title The Leader reassuring the community will be a vital part of his proposals, adding: "It is all about getting the local community on board.

"If we can demonstrate that owners can come in and that goes well for a month, we could then move to another stage."

He added he is to recommend to his members that they make use of track and trace software and that they strongly recommend their holidaymakers use it, which will help to develop further trust.

Jim Jones, CEO North Wales Tourism, said: "I have every confidence that our tourism and hospitality sector will ensure they can provide safe environments and enforce social distancing measures.

"Our sector has done everything asked of them to date but it’s about time the Welsh Government started offering something positive back.

"Other countries are offering hope and optimism through providing timelines for opening.

"If we don’t move soon it will be catastrophic to the many livelihoods and communities that are so heavily reliant on this important part of the economy.

"What they need is a date they can work towards to reopen which will allow them to plan properly and be ready.

"Currently they are all in limbo which is causing unnecessary anxiety at this stage.

"So much is being said of the outdoors being ‘better’ than indoors in terms of risk of virus transmission.

"Our National Parks, outdoor attractions such as the Welsh Mountain Zoo, caravan and holiday parks, camping and glamping sites and self-catering accommodation in particular are well placed for socially-distanced breaks and should be open as quickly as possible."