Island 'needs strategy' to halt boat tourism decline

GUERNSEY has lost an estimated £46m. of revenue opportunity from recreational boat tourism since the mid-90s, a marine consultant believes.

Sean Fuller (pictured), who specialises in UK marina management and business development, has conducted a study into the industry locally which has revealed a major decline in visitor arrivals by pleasure craft.

Mr Fuller, a Guernseyman who returned to live in the island in 2011, has now called for a shift in attitudes to prevent numbers from falling further.

'At a time when the finance sector is being squeezed and cost-cutting is being attempted in States departments, this is an area of the visitor economy which should be embraced,' he said. 'However, there is little obvious sign of any strategy to make Guernsey more attractive to visiting boats.