AS THE Covid-19 crisis prevents holidays abroad, and with the future picture for international travel uncertain, there has been a lift in farmers looking to diversify their land for tourism purposes.

According to new statistics by CabinBookers, 90% of Britons are looking for a holiday in the UK once lockdown is over.

Paul Madeley, of Madeleys Chartered Surveyors, commented: “Things are tough for the British tourism industry at the moment as we enter the warmer months and people have been unable to go out, but this isn’t going to be the case forever.

"Looking forward, taking a break in Britain is certainly going to be more attainable for the majority of people,” said Mr Madeley. “We are already seeing farmers and rural businesses approach us to explore what avenues are out there to change the use of their land for tourism purposes.”

With ongoing uncertainty over how subsidies will be paid in future, farmers are already looking at other ways to keep their businesses viable.

“Now is a good time to consider uses for non-productive land, in fact it is vital that farming businesses do look at what they can do," he said. “If British holidaymaking is going to become popular over the next few years, which I suspect it will, then it makes sense to explore what avenues are available. It could be installing camping pods, using land for leisure activities or converting buildings on land already into ‘staycation homes’ – we are already advising clients on their best routes moving forward.”