Scotland may still have Summer tourist season as lockdown lifts says Fiona Hyslop

Scotland's beleaguered tourism industry may still have a Summer season this year as Coronavirus lockdown restrictions are lifted, the Economy Secretary has said.

Fiona Hylsop says Scotland may still have a tourism season this year

Fiona Hyslop also urged Scots to book "staycation" breaks in Scotland when hotels and B&Bs begin to open their doors again.

But she warned there will be no "mass reopening" of businesses when the country enters the first phase of its exit from lockdown later this week.

Tourism is one of Scotland's biggest industries but has been brought to a standstill as the impact of the Coronavirus lockdown restricts all travel. But Ms Hyslop told the BBC's Politics Scotland today that a belated Summer season could still happen if cases of the virus continue to be driven down.

Asked if hotels may be able to take bookings later this year, Ms Hyslop said: "I'm very keen that they can do that but with certain parts of the sector that may be able to open sooner than others.”

This could not happen before rules are relaxed which would then allow movement around Scotland, the Economy Secretary added.

"There needs to be a huge support for the tourism sector from Scots who, when they are able to book holidays, they can and they do that in Scotland.

“But it might be a later season than they might ordinarily have.

"It's important to help them have a season and that's why there are a number of different measures that we're putting in place."

She said this could also involved people from England coming to Scotland when "it is safe to do so."

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