'Travel link problems are hitting tourism industry'
TOURISM businesses could be forced to leave the industry if nothing is done to reverse plummeting sea passenger arrivals, the owner of a long-standing visitor attraction has said.
Andy Ison, who has owned Guernsey Pearl for more than 20 years and also has five shops across the island, including at Oatlands and in Town, said already this year his turnover was down 10%.
And with visitors to the Rocquaine shop complaining about Condor Ferries, and the Liberation in particular, Mr Ison predicted next year would get even worse.
Condor CEO Paul Luxon acknowledged it had been a challenging year and a decline in confidence was reflected to some extent in the latest harbour figures.
But he said the operator was determined to rebuild trust and confidence.