‘More must be done to sell island to potential tourists’

VisitGuernsey held its annual seminar for the local industry at St Pierre Park Hotel yesterday.

It included a presentation with reviews of 2018 and respective plans for the visitor economy for 2019.

Economic Development committee member Deputy Dawn Tindall said the island was yet to fully benefit from the film release, but that Guernsey has more to offer.

‘There has been a great deal of marketing activity off the back of the film, and a lot of hard work being done,’ she said.

‘There are some signs of the pluses to the number of visitors we have.

‘It’s not a big peak but we didn’t expect that until the film had been distributed this year.

‘So next year we are looking forward to taking advantage of everything.

‘We have to acknowledge that the tourist of today has high expectations, both of accommodation and the attractions.

‘We all know, not just businesses but residents, that we want better connectivity.

‘Not just prices but connectivity and reliability.

‘There is always this balance between price and reliability and that’s an important aspect.

‘Overall, I thought there were some hard-hitting points being made today, but there is a lot of positivity to take from it.’

The 2019 tourism strategy Economic Development hope to take to the States will depend on the sea and air links infrastructure review.

‘It is not just for the one year,’ said Deputy Tindall.

‘It is about how we can continue to take advantage of the film and everything else.

‘Although the film is a good opportunity, we have to remember it’s just a small part of a very big picture of what this Bailiwick can offer.

‘We have heritage, occupation, Roman history, Victor Hugo in the 19th century.

‘We have a lot, but we have to package them well.’

VisitGuernsey will launch a new website on Monday.

They hope their new ‘magazine’ style site will encourage users to come to the island.

‘This new website will be a very important change,’ said Deputy Tindall.

‘It’s a step in the right direction to improving the way of getting these messages out there.

‘It’s approaching how people look at it, using it through a mobile, having it themed magazine style. Encouraging people to click on different things, but hopefully end up booking a holiday.’