Tourism businesses plead to be heard on travel decisions

Most had little notice before Economic Development’s announcement on 3 March that all cruise ship visits this year have been cancelled, a decision put down to the complexity of catering safely for these visitors, who are normally worth around £4m. a year.

Many cruise ship companies are offering tours around the British Isles this summer as they adapt their schedules because of the pandemic and bring in new safety measures. These are due to start on 17 May.

‘We all planned for the season but hoped later on in the year we could recover and open up again,’ said Antony Ford Parker, Outdoor Guernsey and Adventure Sark founder and director.

After phoning 80 or 90 businesses within days of the announcement, others involved with the industry were disappointed at the lack of communication, Mr Ford Parker said.

‘There was a lack of representation in the decision, but it is easily resolved.

‘I’m talking to all my fellow business owners, we need to have a much stronger voice. We – all tourism-related people – are the best people to speak to if you want to engage with expert opinion of the tourism industry.’

Services, attractions and activities provided make the Bailiwick a destination people want to go to.

‘They want to hear all about Guernsey, see it properly, get out and be shown around and take away souvenirs. There is a whole industry there which services that. People choose to come for their own reason – be it history, tranquillity or beauty – then they look for a hotel. After that we are the attraction.’

Now with the Bailiwick Blueprint, which aims for borders to be open on 1 July, there will be more notice to hire and train staff, service vehicles and all other time-consuming preparations.

Some tourism-related business will continue to get financial support until the end of June.

Le Petit Train owner Andy Furniss said given the usual cruise ship schedule was not published, he had expected the announcement. Lockdown suspended any local arrangements made to adapt to a season without tourists, and any passengers are precious cargo, he said.

Innovative thinking to cater for locals will be needed to stay afloat until borders reopen but, without a huge uptake, could not compensate for business lost.

‘As an island we have done incredibly well, we’ve just got to ride the storm, but for us it’s going to be a bumpy ride.’