Do locals actually want tourists at the moment?

[footprintsintheslow]

What's the general consensus about tourists staying in holiday destinations around the UK?

I'd love to go camping in North Wales, keep myself to myself and go to beaches.

Is it selfish to arrive there?

What would make it better if anything?

I live in a very touristy area ( Wales) . Yes we are glad of the tourism as many businesses would go under without it but, I'm avoiding local beauty spots and shops and driving further shield as its just so crowded!

We went away to the Cotswolds a few weeks back and it was busy in the main towns but quite quiet outside of those areas. I can see why locals get annoyed with the situation. There were a lot of people not being socially distant and in large groups. You get that everywhere but when someone is potentially bringing that to your area, it’s really annoying.

We visited before masks were mandatory but wore our masks in shops, took time to read the covid-secure guidelines on each door. The shops and local businesses need custom. If it’s an area that has built its economy on tourism, then I don’t really think they have much choice. I think if your visiting somewhere other than where you live, you should try to support a local business or two whilst you’re there. Even if it’s just buying a takeaway coffee. For everywhere that we visited, I also left a trip advisor review stating how their covid measures were.

I’m a hypocrite. We don’t want people coming in droves to our villages as we have no facilities at all. Literally none. They don’t behave very well, leave rubbish and park all over the place.

We have just returned from four nights in our cottage - didn’t use many local services, but were welcomed in the restaurants and shops where we are known. Then went on to Suffolk where we stayed with our extended family. Welcomed warmly in pubs, accommodation, shops, restaurants. The beaches were pretty empty.

I live in a remote and beautiful place. Since lockdown eased a bit we have seen so many people coming wild camping and bringing RVs, starting campfires, leaving rubbish - as for bringing money into the local economy - well we have no pubs or cafes for them to pour money into, instead they leave behind disgusting litter, nappies, even tents - and the locals can't even go for a walk along the shore because of the line of tent after tent, the fires, the portable bbqs. There are no toilets, no shower facilities, because we are not a campsite, just a lovely and isolated part of the country - until now that is.

The businesses do

The locals don't

Where do you live @NancyPickford that has no pubs ? I thought there were laws against that sort of thing in most parts of the UK, lack of pubs not camping

I am delighted that tourists have returned to our area, it's great to see people out and about enjoying the scenery and the amenities .

frumpety the wilds of the Scottish highlands.

Do people that live in tourist areas never go away themselves and thus be tourists?

Good point.

If we went we'd camp in our own tent and be pretty self sufficient. That said it does mean we wouldn't be adding much to the local economy.

Our days would be spent sat by our tent or visiting our family and sitting in their gardens.
I would love to go to the beach too if it weren't over crowded.

There would certainly be trips to the chip shop.

I can't imagine we'd be going to towns or particular beauty spots. I'm as keen to avoid crowds and people as the next person.

I want to go but equally I don't want to be a burden or an idiot tourist that people despise.

My county in Wales where I live has the same R rate as the county I want to visit so I feel I won't be adding risk to myself nor the area we want to visit.

I am very fortunate to live in a lovely part of the country which a lot of people choose to visit, so a tourist area. I choose to visit another tourist area at the other end of the country for my main holiday. I do not behave badly when I get there, I am as considerate of my surroundings as I am at home. I am still a tourist though

There are just too many people pootling about in full holiday mode in our village, not socially distancing, forgetting masks and being offended by having to queue to go in shops. It's as if COVID never happened but it's six times as busy. I was stood in a queue with a family who insisted on discussing loudly how they had all had the virus and then immediately asked if they could use the toilet in the tiny village shop.
So no probably tourists aren't welcome although I'm a complete hypocrite too as I really enjoyed my trip up north last week!

@NancyPickford I once drove from Scrabster back to Yorkshire (465 miles in a mini metro, with a flatulent labrador ) and took a wrong turn and ended up driving down to Tain on a B road and you are quite right I don't remember seeing a lot of pubs

I live in London. We need the tourists or everything will shut. People losing jobs. Covid is much less prevalent than it was at start of lockdown.

Here's what is saying.

People still cross the street to avoid each other. Most people certainly don't want crowds at the moment or to be around them at least.

Ultimately the summer is a write off but understandably people want to get away for a week or two.

We love holidaying in the UK. I get so excited about all the local shops, I'll always pick up some artwork by a local artist to remind us of our holiday. I buy all sorts of gifts and souvenirs. Before lockdown we've enjoyed Northumberland, Antrim Coast, Lake District.

Would be a shame if we were walking out of the shop a hundred quid lighter and the staff didn't actually want us there.

We go away during the quietest months, between late September through to March.
We walk the dog and avoid busy places. Can't stand crowds so will avoid at all costs.

We go away during the quietest months, between late September through to March.
We walk the dog and avoid busy places. Can't stand crowds so will avoid at all costs.

I like to go away in the summer for the weather (or at least the light if in UK) but always avoid August like the plague because of the crowds. Everywhere is too busy, let alone in a pandemic when people are still flocking to popular destinations and nice places.

Come to London. It is brilliant at the moment. I live there but wish i didn't so i'd have an excuse to visit and stay in a nice hotel for a week.
No one will judge you or make you feel unwelcome or treat you like you have the plague.
Everyone will just assume you are a Londoner.
So much to do and no crowds to fight with. It's honestly brilliant this summer.

Family in Devon and Cornwall. General consensus is no. That said, they still want us to visit, and I have to remind them that makes us tourists.

avoid August like the plague because of the crowds

Hahah was that a deliberate turn off phrase?

We went to the Brecons last week, no problem, everyone welcoming. Stopped in Avebury, Wiltshire on the way back where the locals were their usual unfriendly selves!

I live in the lakes and people are happy to have tourists back. Most people are socially distancing and there haven't been any issues.

We were in the Peak District recently, I hope I'm not being deluded but the locals seemed really pleased to have the custom.

I'm in Edinburgh. It's really refreshing for it to be almost August and quiet. Feels like we have our city back, because August is horrific for locals.
That said, we do need the tourists, so if a few of you want to pop up, that's fine!
My PILs live in the Highlands (near Tain, pp!) and their tolerance level has become very low for human faeces!)