VisitScotland senior insight manager, Chris Greenwood, has suggested that rural self-catering providers could benefit from a “pent-up demand” within the travel industry when lockdown restrictions are lifted. He noted that multiple surveys have shown consumers want to travel and get out and about while also wanting to isolate themselves, and that rural self-catering properties offer the perfect opportunity to meet these consumer needs. He added that the real advantage self-catering businesses have is allowing visitors the ability to completely control their environment, although in order to take advantage of this, self-catering providers should be meeting and exceeding the hygiene standards that tourists expect.

Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, echoed this sentiment, stating “As Scotland’s tourism industry emerges from lockdown, self-catering will have an important role to play in getting our sector back on its feet”, with remote and isolated locations “well placed to offer relaxing, peaceful and calming breaks away from town and cities”. She also emphasised the importance of following cleaning protocols and rules set by the Scottish Government, and added “being able to open at the earliest possible opportunity would help us, Scotland’s economy, and would let our guests enjoy the unique kind of holidays we offer and to do so in a safe way.”

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