Virtual tourism means we’re all Yorkshire ambassadors – GP Taylor

The countryside was breath-taking, high mountains that fell sharply into the sea and even in June, the sky had a wintry blue that reminded me of those clear December days we often get in Yorkshire.

In one hour, I got to know so much about the country and its people. So much so, I would really love to go there again. 
This time I hope it would be for real.

The problem I have is that I am one of the growing number of people who have given up air travel. Lockdown has taught many people that air travel is a luxury and not a necessity. For me, getting to the Faroe Islands was easy – I became a ‘Remote Tourist’.

From the comfort of my armchair and with the benefit of my laptop, I became an internet tourist. Yet, this wasn’t just watching a video of someone on a walk.

Since the launch of its 
‘Remote Tourism’ scheme on April 15, the Faroe Islands has witnessed an impressive 700,000 virtual tourists from 197 countries visit its compelling new interactive, real-time tourist experience.

More than 1,000 people 
have had a chance to control a Faroese guide while they have explored the island nation via a live video camera and a remote control.

This isn’t just a piece of fun to experience during lockdown, it is a very clever way of promoting a holiday destination that I would never have ordinarily been interested in.

But tourism is vulnerable if there is a second wave of Covid-19 and thousands of jobs are linked to hotels, pubs, holiday cottages and B&Bs.

Tourism plays a major part in the economy of the county and we in Yorkshire need to be ahead of the game – the industry is worth £9bn here and directly employs around 225,000 people.

That is a staggering amount of money and, more importantly, jobs put at risk because of the pandemic.

James Mason, the chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, is right when he says that we must bang the big drum to make people stop and think that “we have to visit Yorkshire”.

The future of tourism in the county cannot be pegged on a bike race once a year. We need
to come up with initiatives
that are even better than the Faroes.

I believe it will take a decade for things to get back to normal. The coronavirus has been such a shock to the psyche of the nation that taking a holiday is fraught with problems.

Like Cornwall and the Lakes, Yorkshire is going to have to fight to bring tourists back. The county can no longer rely on people returning year on year. A new generation have to be reached and provided with activities that they feel are relevant to their needs.

First and foremost, we have
to prove to the public that it is safe to come here. Hoteliers, cottage owners and caterers 
have to go out of their way to ensure that they offer a safe space to visitors. In some places, visitor limits have to be set and 
if need be, people turned away. The scenes in Bournemouth cannot be replayed on the Yorkshire Coast.

Attention has to be given to the Dales and larger areas set aside for parking as well as new access points created for our hills and moors. Social distancing has to be a priority.

In a digital internet age, social media has to be used to its full advantage.

On Yorkshire Day, everyone in the county should be encouraged to take a photograph or film of their favourite place within the county and post it on social media.

Imagine if we overloaded the internet with images of this beautiful place in which we live. Each of us could become a Yorkshire tour guide and film a favourite walk or beauty spot. If it works for the Faroes, it can definitely work for us. YouTube and Instagram provide ideal platforms.

The Government should also be encouraged to create a one-off Bank Holiday at the end of October. This would extend the holiday season and give a boost for staycations.

It cannot just be left to Welcome to Yorkshire to do it all for us. Every one has to become an ambassador for our county. It is incumbent upon us all to do our bit to help bring tourism back.

Yorkshire has to be high on the national and international tourist agenda and again become the must go to destination. This can only be achieved if we get the word out the county is open for business.

GP Taylor is an author and broadcaster. 
He lives in Whitby.

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