'States hasn't helped tourism on this one'
CONCERNS over the future of the tourism and hospitality industries have been expressed after the States put its full weight behind a rise in the minimum wage.
It has gone up by 35p, a 5% rise, but the island's hoteliers said this might lead to smaller attractions and businesses not being able to continue to run cost-effectively, which could have a knock-on effect on them.
Luke Wheadon, head of the Chamber of Commerce's tourism sub-group and owner of the Bella Luce Hotel, said from his perspective there was a lack of consultation on the matter.
'What they did is what is currently set in law in how they should go about consulting the island's industry experts – using letters – but it just isn't robust by any means,' he said.
'The rise of 5% is also not at all in line with where Guernsey should be, or inflation. We appreciate an increase is necessary over time but this was too much.'