Scots turn their backs on overseas holidays amid coronavirus fears

Holiday parks and self-catering accommodation across Scotland have reported an upsurge in bookings and inquiries, as the escalating coronavirus crisis looks set to curb traditional Easter and summer getaways in favour of staycations.

With air travel growth slowing to its lowest rate in a decade as the virus spreads around the world, an increasing number of Scots are turning their backs on overseas breaks.

Argyll Holidays, which runs eight holiday parks, said bookings had risen by 25 per cent over the past fortnight compared with the same period in 2019.

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Cottage overviewing Uig Beach on the Isle of Lewis and Harris, Outer Hebrides in Scotland. Pic: Studio AnnikaCottage overviewing Uig Beach on the Isle of Lewis and Harris, Outer Hebrides in Scotland. Pic: Studio Annika
Cottage overviewing Uig Beach on the Isle of Lewis and Harris, Outer Hebrides in Scotland. Pic: Studio Annika
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Andrew Wright, the family-owned firm’s marketing manager, said: “From being out at our parks and speaking to people, the general consensus is that they feel more settled getting away from the city and overpopulated areas.

“Our parks are in quite remote locations. It means you’re generally around the one group of people, so they see it as a less risky destination.”

Independent Cottages, a website which markets holiday cottages as far afield as Kirkcudbright and Sutherland, said its web visitors had increased by 40 per cent between 1 January and 24 February

compared with the same period in 2019.

Canopy and Stars, which offers holidaymakers “creative” glamping, said its bookings for 2020 were up by around a third compared with 2019.

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