Hopes for Covid-safe kite mark to get green light soon

The organisation said in May the quality mark would provide a “ring of confidence” for domestic tourism businesses, attractions and destinations.

Plans include businesses completing a risk assessment and free online training course to help them adhere 
to the official government guidelines, before being provided with the quality mark and certificate.

With the domestic tourism industry starting to open up from next month, speaking during the TTG Domestic Tourism seminar, Patricia Yates said trade bodies were busy working out the guidelines, with UK Hospitality leading the way.

“It gives that reassurance to customers that businesses have done Covid risk assessments and they understand the new environment in which they’re working,” Yates told TTG editor Sophie Griffiths.

“We’ve gone for sign-off from the minister on that, so I’d hope they make a call on it in the next few days. I do appreciate the sooner we get this up and running the better, but of course we can’t do that until the guidelines are agreed. That work’s being done simultaneously.”

The idea of a Covid-19 safety kite mark has support across the UK.

Will Myles, managing director, Visit Isle of Wight, said: “We’ve got a ‘good- to-go’ logo that is ready to link in to what VisitBritain and VisitEngland are going to provide.”

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said businesses already had high standards when it came to limiting infection. He added all accommodation providers, including Airbnb, should work to the same standard.

While Jim Walker, chairman of Cumbria Tourism, added: “It’s got to be promoted, developed and communicated properly so it really does get the value out of it.”