Warning people will flock to England for Easter if staycations in Scotland can't return sooner
Caravan site owners in Ayrshire are urging the Scottish Government to let them open up earlier
There's a warning people will book holidays in England over Easter if hotels and self-catering accommodation in Scotland can't re-open sooner.
West FM News is speaking to caravan site owners who're claiming they've lost thousands of pounds because they had to cancel bookings in April.
Lesley-Ann McCormack runs Crofthead Holiday Park in Ayr and said: "It's crippling for us.
"We personally know of people who are now holidaying in England instead of Scotland at Easter and beyond because they can't get accommodation here.
"It's a huge disservice to the tourism industry in Scotland."
Earlier this week the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, revealed that staycation holidays can resume on April 26 when coronavirus measures are eased.
Graham McLean from Crosbie Towers in West Kilbride claims having a planned date to re-open is vital for them to start planning.
He said: "Not getting started for Easter is a bit of a kick because we normally have families who come and visit their caravan during the school holidays.
"We really don't want to have another setback where we have to close again.
"Once we open we have to stay open."
Lesley added: "Coming to self-catering accommodation where there are no shared facilities would indicate that the danger level with regards to coronavirus is very very low.
"It is certainly lower than going to the supermarket.
"There is absolutely no need for people to be mixing with anyone outside their family bubble.
"The caravans have decking outside and they don't even need to step on to the park."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We want the tourism sector to get back to normal as soon as it is safely possible, but as the First Minister has set out we must move very carefully to ensure continued suppression of the virus.
"If we open up too much, too quickly then we risk a resurgence of the virus.”