This is what hotels, self-catering lets and campsites will be like on your next trip away

As the hospitality sector reopens, what safety procedures are in place and what can guests expect when staying in hotels, campsites and self-catering accommodation?

Here we ask some experts and owners of various accommodations about the safety measures in place to help combat the spread of coronavirus, and what guests can expect.

Self-catering accommodation

Centre Parcs recently announced it will reopen its UK villages from Monday 13 July. The announcement comes after all five villages closed their doors on Friday 20 March in response to the global coronavirus pandemic.

In line with government guidance, there will be social distancing and new safety measures in place to protect the families who visit each week and the company’s 8,500 employees.

Center Parcs’ CEO, Martin Dalby, said, “Although it was disappointing to have to close our villages, it was the right thing to do to keep our guests and staff safe. The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant effect on the whole country and we always said we would only reopen once we were 100 per cent satisfied it was safe to do so. We’ve had our teams working around the clock to review everything we do, right down to the smallest detail, and we‘re now ready to open our doors again.

“We know that a lot of families were looking forward to Center Parcs breaks and we can’t wait to welcome you back to the forest. Those families who have visited us before will notice some changes to the way we’re doing things, but the essence of a Center Parcs break will remain the same, offering a fantastic short break experience with plenty of space within our 400 acres of natural woodland.”

The new measures to keep guests and staff safe include:

• Reduced numbers of guests on each break
• Changes to some activities to maintain social distancing
• Cashless payment only across the villages
• New takeaway service offering contactless delivery to lodges

Initially, in line with government guidance, the villages will open without the Subtropical Swimming Paradise and Aqua Sana Spa.

Dalby said, “We know how disappointing it will be for some families that the Subtropical Swimming Paradise isn’t open during their break. We have been planning the changes needed to maintain social distancing and we look forward to reopening these facilities as soon as we are able to do so. However, we know that so many families have been looking forward to their breaks and we are so pleased to be open for the summer.”

In Scotland, luxury self-catering accommodation on the shores of Loch Lomond, Cameron Lodges, will reopen on 17 July.

Director Allan Reich said, “Tourism plays such an important role in Scotland’s economy and it’s vital that everyone operating in this industry gets it right when they come to reopen. Our top priority is to keep our guests safe while continuing to provide an exceptional holiday experience and the warm, Scottish hospitality that we are known for.