New tourism partnership as ‘voice of the sector’
A NEW body keen to help the Bailiwick’s tourism industry recover from the pandemic has said it will be a long, slow process.
The Guernsey Tourism Partnership aims to be a united voice for the sector and contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of Guernsey's tourism offering.
‘The idea came from the need to take swift, practical action to help those small and medium-sized businesses in the sector who have lost most, if not all, of their revenue in the past year and are faced with another very difficult year ahead,’ the Partnership’s chairman Ant Ford Parker said.
Its main objectives include sharing ideas and information amongst members and developing and maintaining appropriate direct representation at the decision-making level with the States on behalf of all of the members.
‘We are moving in the right direction with announcements like those at the press conference. But any belief that problems are over for the tourism industry are a long way short of the mark.
‘We are still looking at a lot of problems, even if borders open up in July. The tourism industry will not recover overnight.’
‘We want family and friends who visit to make the most of it and book attractions when they are here.’
One of the things the partnership hopes government will reconsider is allowing cruise ships to visit Guernsey again.
‘If you are inviting packed planes in, there is no difference with inviting a boat in.
‘Lots of tourist attractions rely on support from cruise liners.’
Talking about the partnership’s role, he said: ‘We are at rock bottom now, so we need to do something positive to help government allow us to move forward.’
n A number of businesses have been contacted by the Partnership, but it is keen to hear the views of everyone who works within the tourist sector, either directly or indirectly.
Anyone interested in registering or signing up to the newsletter should visit www.tourism.gg.
