St Andrews sets standard for safe tourism with Covid Charter

St Andrews is setting the standard for safe tourism with a collective StaySafe St Andrews CovidCharter for the re-opening of hotels today.

ST ANDREWS; SWILKEN BRIDGE, with clubhouse in background photo; WALTER NEILSON

Hundreds of hospitality outlets in St Andrews have come together to promote safe tourism and travel in and around the town.

More than 300 individual businesses and organisations have signed up to a ‘StaySafe St Andrews COVID Charter’ which outlines strict hygiene and social distancing measures for visitors and local residents to follow.

The charter has been created by Tourism St Andrews, a volunteer Local Tourist Association under the Fife Tourism Partnerships, in conjunction with leading hotels and businesses including The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa, Fairmont St Andrews, Hotel du Vin St Andrews, Rufflets Hotel, Links Golf St Andrews and the University of St Andrews Student Association.

They are taking a unique ‘whole town’ approach which means they are working to ensure that wherever you go in St Andrews, the official Government guidelines to combat Covid-19 is being applied to the highest possible standards.

The includes adhering to stringent cleaning procedures and encouraging the wearing of face coverings “where possible and practical.”

The purpose of the COVID Charter is to assure both visitors and residents that St Andrews is one of the most safety-stringent areas to visit in Scotland when hotels re-open today.

St Andrews, with its world-famous golf courses, sweeping sandy beaches and charming medieval town, usually welcomes thousands of visitors from all over the world in the summer months.

The lure of playing on or near the oldest and most iconic golf course in the world, The Old Course, attracts thousands of American golfers to the area every summer.

And as one of Scotland’s top five most popular destinations, tourism counts for one in five jobs.

Now, like almost every tourist destination across the world, visitor numbers have been decimated in the wake of Covid-19.

The hospitality sector is expecting the buoyant staycation market to fill the town this summer and take advantage of a much quieter, tranquil town this year.

Herve Bernier, Hotel Du Vin St Andrews General Manager and chair of the guest house and hotel association, Stay in St Andrews Association (SISTA), said they wanted to promote St Andrews as a beautiful and safe tourist destination this summer.

“There are so many wide-open spaces, beaches, coastal paths, golf courses and even St Andrews Botanic Gardens, to explore.

“We have the advantage of so much space here which takes the stress out of social distancing.”

He added: “St Andrews is a fantastic destination and there is such a strong will for the town businesses and community in working together and offer the best and safe experience to visitors.”

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