Scotland to resume tourism with We're Good to Go standard

I noticed a Facebook post yesterday from ancestral tour guide pal, Ian Walker, about his preparations for the resumption of the tourist industry in Scotland from July 15th 2020.

Ian runs Borders Journeys (https://bordersjourneys.co.uk), and like many tour guides and operators his work has been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. In announcing preparations to resume operations he mentioned the We're Good to Go standard to which he has to adhere to do so safely.

I asked Ian (pictured below) if he would kindly explain what the We're Good to Go campaign is, and he has kindly responded as follows:


On 15th July 2020 we’ll see the tourism and hospitality sector begin to open after being closed for over three months due to COVID-19.

VisitScotland has been working with Tourism Northern Ireland, VisitEngland and VisitWales to develop a new UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark to provide confidence for visitors, hospitality and tourism businesses as the sector works towards reopening. 

The ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard and supporting mark mean businesses across all sectors of the tourism industry in Scotland can demonstrate that they're adhering to the respective government and public health guidance, and have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment to check they have the required processes and protocols in place. 

To obtain the mark you must complete an on-line self-assessment via the ‘Good To Go’ website - www.goodtogoscotland.com. The self-assessment includes a checklist confirming you have put the necessary processes in place to safeguard customers.

Once complete, you'll receive certification and access to the ‘We’re Good To Go’ mark for display in your premises and online.

A huge thanks to Ian for this, and also congrats to him on the launch of his new Borders Journeys website at https://bordersjourneys.co.uk, which I hope you will take the time to explore if you fancy looking around the country a bit!

For more on Visit Scotland's Get Tourism Ready strategy please visit https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/advice/coronavirus-recovery/preparing-to-open#G2G.

Good luck to Ian, and all my friends and colleagues, in the ancestral tourism sector over the next few weeks. Scotland's a great place to live - but it's also one heck of a place to visit!

(With thanks to Ian Walker)

Chris

My next 5 week Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Registers course starts July 6th - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. My next book, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is now out, also available are Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Irish1 and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scotland1. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.