April 2022 - Page 5 of 5

Update on We’re Good to Go Scheme

Posted on April 4, 2022 by Fiona Campbell

We’re Good to Go, the industry standard that has supported businesses throughout the pandemic, has now closed.

VisitEngland, VisitScotland, Visit Wales and Tourism Northern Ireland have agreed this key partnership initiative has achieved what it set out to and collectively thank all businesses who stepped up to the challenge that enabled us and each business to demonstrate the COVID-19 protocols they have put in place to keep visitors safe.

What happens next?

Businesses currently signed up are encouraged not to display the certificate and to remove the logo where possible, but are not expected to incur costs in doing so and therefore may retain the logo on any printed marketing material currently in use on the understanding this will not be in place beyond September 2022.

VisitScotland asks however that the logo be removed from your website and social media channels on or before 30 April 2022.

If you registered to use the World Travel & Tourism Council’s ‘Safe Travels’ Stamp, as the collective awarding body for the UK – VisitEngland, VisitScotland, Visit Wales and Tourism NI – you may still utilise the stamp for your international marketing until such time that WTTC confirm they no longer run this scheme. However, no new applications will be accepted by us and anyone wishing to apply for Safe Travels after that point will need to apply directly to WTTC.

Short Stay Summit 2022: VIP Discount

Posted on April 4, 2022April 4, 2022 by Fiona Campbell

Short Stay Summit: 19th May 2022, Tobacco Dock, London

Join the ASSC’s Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, at an event organised by the industry, for the industry.

The European Holiday Home Association (EHHA), UK Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA) and the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) have joined forces to bring you the leading European business Conference & Exhibition for short-term rental property Managers and Owners.

Across the globe, companies are growing, innovating and shaping the future of travel and hospitality, and this event is here to shout about it.

With educational talks, industry stakeholders can expand their networks, exchange best practices and learn from one another, while celebrating the strong resilience and unity of the sector.

We have a dedicated discount code for ASSC members, property owners and managers to attend the Short Stay Summit as our VIP Guests.

Just click on this link to book the tickets : https://www.shortstaysummit.org/tickets/

Enter your discount code :

ASSCVIP

Hope to see you there!

Safeguarding Ukrainian Arrivals

Posted on April 1, 2022April 1, 2022 by Fiona Campbell

Regulations have been passed to put in place a safe, fast and free vetting system for those who open their homes to displaced Ukrainians.

Under the scheme, volunteer hosts will be able to apply for expedited disclosure checks. These enhanced checks will offer the same level of scrutiny as the initial checks carried out for those working with children and vulnerable adults.

Sponsors will be contacted as part of the matching service and guided through the disclosure check application process.

Children’s Minister Clare Haughey said:

“The generosity of people who want to open their homes for Ukrainians fleeing the illegal invasion of their country is heart-warming.

“We want Scotland to be a welcoming and safe haven and so ensuring the wellbeing and safety of those arriving from Ukraine, who are overwhelmingly women and children, is critical. That is why we have taken action to put in place appropriate checks for sponsors and to make sure the checks are free for those who are offering a place to stay.

“Under this scheme, Disclosure Scotland will prioritise checks for volunteer hosts when they are matched so the homes are ready for any new arrivals as quickly as possible.”

Background

The regulations will come into effect on 24 March. It will mean that potential hosts who are matched with Ukrainians – whether they have offered to host adults only or families with children – will be subject to enhanced disclosure checks. Anyone aged over 16 in the same household as the sponsor will also be required to undergo the same checks.

These higher level disclosures contain information about spent criminal convictions, other relevant information provided by police, details of prescribed court orders and sex offender notification requirements, and information about whether the applicant is barred under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Act from working with children or protected adults or whether the applicant is under consideration for barring.