2021 Island Games 'will be a showcase for all of Guernsey'

The hospitality industry said the major sporting event will not only boost business and the economy when it is hosted here for the third time, but also help to promote the Bailiwick as a holiday destination and showcase all that it has to offer.

Part of the successful bid, which has now been officially rubber-stamped by the International Island Games Association, included a breakdown of the accommodation available for the sporting event, which totals more than 6,800 available beds.

This includes 40 hotels, 23 guest houses, 76 bed and breakfasts and holiday lets, as well as four campsites and one premises classed as a hostel.

The dates for the 2021 Games have been announced as 3 to 9 July, just before the school summer holidays.

Teresa and Roland Guille, who own Fauxquets Valley Campsite, said it was important that the major calendar event did not clash with the school holidays, otherwise they would be already booked up with regular holidaymakers.

'It's great news for all accommodation providers and the island in general,' said Mrs Guille.

'It helps to raise the profile of Guernsey.

'It kind of puts the island on the map.'

This message was echoed by hotelier Dave Nussbaumer, who owns The Farmhouse Hotel and Cobo Bay Hotel, who was hoping to see the industry and island as a whole benefit.