Will Devon & Cornwall be ok to go to in July?

[EinsteinaGogo]

We are in a real dilemma.. We have to pay the balance on our holiday in the next couple of weeks which is about another £800 on top of the £400 deposit already paid.

We've gone for a self catering holiday flat on the Devon / Cornwall border for last week of June /
first week in July.

Don't really want to go if the touristy places we'd usually go to aren't open but our holiday company are only offering a reschedule so will lose our money if we cancel. We have a family wedding next year (hopefully) so we don't want to rebook.

We were pretty sure we'd still be in lockdown and be able to get a refund but now that the new rules are in place, I don't know if we are or aren't allowed to go.

AIBU to think we should be able to get our deposit back?

I think that’s what’s behind 90% of posts that people are saying have put them off visiting the south west again - fear.

I don’t see any fear. Just distaste at some of the general attitudes.

You don’t see Italians saying ‘don’t come here’, they actually like tourists and they’re good at hospitality. Compared to the some of the resentful, selfish insularity and charmlessness here, it’s a different world.

I don’t buy the hospital angle by the way - that’s just any excuse. Most people would go home if they got ill. Or at least go to a bigger hospital. Plymouth, with its teaching hospitals is only an hour from Newquay and Truro. Exeter hospital is building a Nightingale to serve Devon and Cornwall which will be open in a month, and is currently very quiet.

And here come the insults from people who have no idea what it is like to live in a tourist hotspot

Yeah Londoners know nothing about tourists, or traffic.

@Twattersphere nope, it's just too full of Cornish people!

@TatianaBis
If someone had reached the stage they needed to go into hospital with covid, I am sure a long journey home would be the last thing they would want to do. Sorry you don’t buy the hospital angle but as somebody who has worked at that hospital I can tell you it is a fact - during peak tourist season the hospital is on black alert constantly, it does not have the capacity to cope with a bit influx of patients. Derriford in Plymouth is not much better - and the hour travel you mention could be double or triple with holiday traffic on the road.

I am amazed that nobody can actually comprehend why the people of southwest do not want visitors from areas of high incidences of Coronavirus? And why potential tourists saying “you need our money” as of this is more important than people’s families? The sense of entitlement to their holiday overriding health concerns is off the scale.

The amount of people that have been challenged on this thread and they've all worked or are working at the hospital, it must be massive this "one" hospital!

I am amazed that nobody can actually comprehend why the people of southwest do not want visitors from areas of high incidences of Coronavirus? And why potential tourists saying “you need our money” as of this is more important than people’s families? The sense of entitlement to their holiday overriding health concerns is off the scale.

Once Boris says go travel, people will, no matter what the locals want. 🙅‍♀️

Use this time wisely to get social distancing into place, it'll help a bit.

@understandmenow what a nice discriminatory comment from you. Well done.

@understandmenow
As it is the only acute hospital in Cornwall, At some point most people who work in healthcare and who have lived in Cornwall have worked there. You don’t sound very bright - let me know if you need it explained in more simple terms.

understandmenow what a nice discriminatory comment from you. Well done.

Thank you @Twattersphere I'll take a bow!

As it is the only acute hospital in Cornwall, At some point most people who work in healthcare and who have lived in Cornwall have worked there. You don’t sound very bright - let me know if you need it explained in more simple terms.

You don't sound very nice, but hey it's not that surprising.

@understandmenow oh boo boo did the nasty poster be rude to you after you made mean comments? Diddums

Nice one Twattersphere, nice bit of aggression to add to the pile. Well done you

@understandmenow oh boo boo did the nasty poster be rude to you after you made mean comments? Diddums

That is one of the funniest reactions I've ever seen on MN! You proper made me laugh out loud! Thank you!

...and you’re arguing with TatianaBis about a sense of entitlement. Go and look up irony.

Watching Italy open up its tourist industry this morning on BBC news after the absolute tragedy that unfolded there a few weeks ago. Cranking up their beach parasols, open to fellow Italians, hopefully opening to foreign travel later, in time for summer.

I’m assuming meanwhile that some folk in Cornwall think Cornwall ought to remain closed all summer. They don’t sound very bright.

Watching Italy open up its tourist industry this morning on BBC news after the absolute tragedy that unfolded there a few weeks ago. Cranking up their beach parasols, open to fellow Italians, hopefully opening to foreign travel later, in time for summer.

Isn't it lovely! It's like the Phoenix rising from the ashes. I am definitely going to book a trip to Italy, they deserve our custom and money being spent in their lovely restaurants and tourist spots.

If someone had reached the stage they needed to go into hospital with covid, I am sure a long journey home would be the last thing they would want to do.

Reaching the hospital stage takes some time, generally a week or more, and most people would go likely home if they thought they’d caught it.

Having ‘worked in a hospital‘ you’re not doubt aware of the general pattern of the illness.

The sense of entitlement to their holiday overriding health concerns is off the scale.

I don’t personally have a holiday in Cornwall planned...

I am amazed that nobody can actually comprehend why the people of southwest do not want visitors from areas of high incidences of Coronavirus? And why potential tourists saying “you need our money” as of this is more important than people’s families? The sense of entitlement to their holiday overriding health concerns is off the scale

O the irony as the South West R kevel is now higher than London.

Not saying people should visit yet btw but companies need to offer refunds.

Italy is fab, wish were were going there now.

So just those from the North of England

Hooe it works this time.

O it did. Wasn't showing.

@lemonpudding I didn't mention that our deposit is a fixed sum of £30, despite how long you stay and the number of occupants. The reason that we charge it is for admin costs due to cancellations, and the reason it is kept low is because we know that in peak season we will 100% get the cottage re-booked. If, and when, we get proper guidance from the government then people are more than welcome to come. We do not want people to not have their holiday. As it stands everything is being done on a provisional basis, so therefore if able to come then we go ahead with the bookings. If not then we have told our guests they can provisionally reschedule for next year. Currently all of our guests will either be coming this year or next. If there are any cancellations then we have said they will lose the £30 deposit, but we will give them a voucher worth £30 towards a future holiday with us (perhaps I should have mentioned that). We did ask our guests if they had any issues with this and they are all happy about it. If for any reason guests decide that they want to cancel their holiday and not come back at any time, we will re-visit our decision regarding the deposit. Tbh most cornish holiday companies charge guests a fortune for deposits based on the idea that they would be unable to fill the property, and consequently lose money. That, is dishonest because they know it will be re-booked. We wanted to be different from these companies, and not rip people off, and I think we are achieving that. Our guests are always happy with this arrangement and understanding that we have to pay to do admin. We booked a holiday for July and we are currently in battles with the holiday company as we've lost 45% of the total cost. I don't want a medal, but we do genuinely care about our guests and are venture is not all about money. This was a life long dream and we've tried to get it right, so that when people stay with us firstly they have a fantastic holiday, secondly they love staying with us and finally they want to return.

O the irony as the South West R kevel is now higher than London.

Only because 15% of Londoners have now had it.