
Willie Cameron, of Loch Ness Marketing, said the first minister's announcement will have given the Highlands tourism industry some signs of hope.
He said the possibility of the economy opening up from late April could mean Scottish staycations in May and further breaks in the summer.
"Things are going in the right direction, and we live in hope, but there are still lots of questions," said the businessman dubbed Mr Loch Ness.
"You can't just open self-catering and not pubs and restaurants and visitor attractions also at the same time. People will want the full package. They will want to go places, and the industry will want to show the Highlands at its best."