UK holidays will never be the same – with timed meals, pre-booked pool slots and beach visitor limits, says tourism boss
CORNWALL's tourism boss has warned of timed breakfast and lunch slots, a cap on the number of beach visitors and shorter hotel stays when holidaymakers return to the region.
Malcom Bell says tourists can expect a "different kind of holiday" in the UK when they visit Cornwall once the lockdown is over.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
It follows the warning from Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove who told MPs that "at the moment and for some time to come" members of the public should not travel to visit popular British seaside resorts such as Cornwall.
Mr Bell told Sun Online Travel: "The issue is what was the definition of 'some time'."
"If we're talking weeks, we all understand that as it is important to maintain the current message.
"If we're talking about this entire year, or saying don't bother in the summer, then it's very, very worrying."
He explained how holidays are likely to change when restrictions are lifted: "Buffets you will see disappear, doors will be left open so people don't touch handles, social distancing markers will be seen."
"At attractions you might see timed tickets, to stop people standing outside and queueing for hours."
"Guests may have to even pre-book time at swimming pools.
"This could be the same for breakfast at hotels - guests might have to have breakfast slots if the resort only has three tables due to social distancing."
Tourists could also find themselves spending much less time at their accommodation too: "Self-catering might change too, such as you can only be in from 4pm but must be out by 9:30am as they need to do a deep clean.
"This might mean taking out all the toy boxes, the DVDs, the games and the books, as consumers will want to see cleanliness."
When it comes to beach visits, one of the main selling points for tourism, this may also see visitor caps.
Malcom said: "Beaches is the big question.
"In one regard, the challenge changes on the tide - if it comes in, it will push people closer together.
"While we do have a lot of beaches for spacing, tourist boards may introduce traffic restrictions meaning only limited capacity at beach car parks."
However, with cafes and restaurants unable to operate on less than 50 per cent capacity, it has led to fears that local businesses may not be able to last past summer if they are unable to open.
While he said that a "managed opening in July and August" is understandable, Malcom warned that they already have 75 to 80 per cent of bookings for those two months.
Previous comments from the tourism boss raised fears that it could be "the end for 80 per cent of the business" in Cornwall.
He added: "This has scared us rigid.
"There is a lot of creative thinking going on and how to cope with high capacity."
"The British public will have to learn to accept different approaches to things and see the positive."
Most read in News Travel
Cornwall has launched their newest tourism campaign, #ComeBackLater campaign, asking people to avoid the area until the lockdown is lifted.
The tourist boards along with emergency service authorities and local establishments have all urged people to stay away.
According to , the message states: "Do not come - how dare you put yourself before the lives of others."
READ MORE SUN STORIES
It comes as Brits are slammed for non-essential visits to the coast - one couple made a 530-mile trip from Surrey to Cornwall and told police it was because they were “stressed about their exams”.
Another family were stopped by police after driving 300 miles from Kent to Cornwall for a mini-break during the lockdown.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – .