April 15, 2020 5.34 pm This story is over 46 months old

Almost three quarters of tourism businesses close in coronavirus crisis

Economic chiefs are hoping businesses will help move plans forward

Tourism bosses say that more than 70% of businesses across Lincolnshire are expected to have closed during the coronavirus lockdown.

The Covid-19 pandemic has also led to 80% of the economic sector’s staff being furloughed.

Visit Lincoln, is currently carrying out a survey of businesses across the county, in a bid to understand the impact further and plan for how the vital industry will relaunch and recover once the crisis is over.

Charlotte Goy is the Visit Lincoln acting CEO. Photo: VL CIC

The deadline for businesses to complete the survey is Friday, April 17.

Acting Chief Executive Charlotte Goy said: “In essence, the preview of the survey mirrors what we have heard in the media and what we have seen across Lincolnshire by speaking to businesses.

“When you see it written in black and white it shows the full impact coronavirus has had on the tourism and visitor economic sector.

“Locally businesses have been really hard hit. Tourism was the first and will no doubt be the hardest hit.

“This has been very challenging for our partners and we’re doing everything we can to see them through one of the most difficult times we have ever seen for travel and tourism.”

According to the results so far, no one who has responded has applied for the Business Interruption Loan Scheme, but 80% have pursued grants organised by government.

Businesses are reporting issues with managing cancellations and rebooking and say they will need marketing support in the long-term to keep visitors engaged.

Skegness Seafront. Picture: Visit Lincoln.

Visit Lincoln has started putting together a plan of action based on its nine years of experience, but will need the support of its partners in going forward.

The survey is being organised with the Lincolnshire Enterprise Partnership and Lincolnshire County Council.

To help feed into the survey, businesses can fill in the form here.


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