This weekend is the second bank holiday in May. However, those planning to travel abroad will most likely have to cancel their plans due to COVID-19. Now experts are suggesting an extra bank holiday in October to help the tourism industry get back on its feet - but will MPs agree?
On May 19, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that Patricia Yates, director of the British Tourism Board, gave a speech in front of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee, explaining how the domestic tourism industry was affected by the crisis. This year's May bank holiday was different than usual and suffered losses. normal.
"Every time we do modeling, the numbers get worse," Yates told MPs. She said revenue from domestic tourists usually amounts to £80 billion a year, but she expects this to fall by £22 billion in 2020. It is for this reason that VisitBritain has requested the introduction of an October bank holiday.
In response, MPs said they all supported the tourism industry through this "challenging period" and would "respond in due course" to the proposal. However, a Downing Street spokesman did point out that extra bank holidays did come with "economic costs".
The government has recently begun easing lockdown rules across the UK, but they are still asking people to use caution when traveling. There don't appear to be any changes to the bank holiday schedule at the moment, but watch this space.
