Visit Britain and Visit England have launched a UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark to provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for tourism as the sector works towards reopening.

The ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard and supporting mark means businesses across the sector can demonstrate that they are adhering to government and public health guidance and have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment.

The scheme is free to join and open to all businesses across the sector.

To obtain the mark, businesses must complete a self-assessment through an online platform, including a check-list confirming they have put the necessary processes in place. If you are successful, you will receive certification and the ‘We’re Good To Go’ mark for display in your premises and online.

Before applying, make sure you have:

• read and implemented the government’s COVID-19 reopening guidance for the visitor economy
• understand the guidance from Public Health England
• have a COVID-19 risk assessment in place

Learn more about the We’re Good To Go’ industry standard and how to apply.

Guidance to reopen your business safely

To help businesses in the visitor economy reopen safely, official guidance has been released to ensure that businesses within the sector know what they need to do. Read this official guidance here.

You can also find further specific guidance for pubs, restaurants, hotels and other accommodation sites on the government’s ‘working safely during coronavirus’ webpage.

Lucy Dowson, Tourism Development Manager at Visit Buckinghamshire and The Chilterns, said: “Alongside the new guidance for the visitor economy helping businesses and attractions to reopen safely, the new industry standard mark will provide clarity and reassurance for visitors and provide locations with a mark of approval that shows they are compliant with the relevant legislation. It is important for a business’s recovery that they attain this new mark and show that they are safely back and open for business.”

Alert system and spot-checks

An alert system has also been set up to ensure that businesses signed up to the ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard are notified if there are changes to the official guidance. A call-handling service will provide support and assessors will also carry out random spot-checks to ensure businesses are adhering to the guidance.

'Know Before You Go' campaign

Visit Britain and Visit England have also launched a ‘Know Before You Go’ public information campaign to reassure visitors and support tourism in England as businesses start to reopen.

Message from Buckinghamshire Council to hospitality business

Message from Buckinghamshire Council: "We know that these are challenging times for anyone in the hospitality business. We are working behind the scenes to anticipate some of the practical things that local hospitality businesses will need us to do to help them adapt to a changing environment. That might mean looking at whether you can expand your seated capacity to make better use of outdoor space, or finding out if you can make use of nearby outdoor space. You may need us to look at temporary emergency changes to your licence or to review some planning conditions which apply to you, the way you need to operate and to your premises.

"If you need specific information, you can get in touch with us by sending an email to reopening@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.

"We will always work to balance the needs of our local communities with the needs of our local businesses in the challenging current climate. We want you to know that our teams here at Buckinghamshire Council will be working hard to support our small businesses in as many ways as possible, so that we can all stay safe and protect the people and the economic future of Buckinghamshire."

Start planning your trips ahead of reopening

Now that restrictions are lifting, why not find out what you can get up to in your spare time on the Visit Buckinghamshire and The Chilterns website. You can also sign up to receive the Visit Buckinghamshire & The Chilterns monthly newsletter.

Visit Buckinghamshire & The Chilterns is the official tourism website for the region. For more information on how your business can get involved and promote your events and activities, call 01494 927151 or email info@visitbuckinghamshire.org.