Industry optimism for strong tourism season
Hopes for a post-Covid revival of Guernsey’s tourism industry have been fuelled by latest figures showing that bed stock and the number of rooms have held steady over the last three years.
According to statistics from the States, the current total bed stock for Guernsey and Herm stands at 5,226 beds and 2,070 rooms or units.
That represents a slight increase on pre-Covid levels, suggesting that fears of widespread hotel closures because of the pandemic may have been unfounded.
Economic Development’s tourism lead Deputy Simon Vermeulen said the committee was looking forward to a strong season this year.
‘The last two years have been very uncertain for tourism in all jurisdictions, but as we come out of that period, and look to recover from the impact of the pandemic, it is encouraging to see there has been an increase in the sector’s bed stocks,’ he said.
‘There is also significant investment happening in local visitor accommodation which is very positive.’
Guernsey Hospitality Association president Alan Sillett said he felt fairly optimistic about the sector’s post-Covid recovery.
‘I think it will be a decent season, there are still a few gaps and the booking pattern is quite late.
‘We still don’t know the effects of losing Flybe because it went bust just days after the pandemic arrived two years ago, so we virtually have one airline coming in and out of the island, and that’s a concern, and the cost of air fares is still a concern.’
The data put out by the States comes from boarding permits information, and includes hotels, guest houses, self-catering, and private dwellings, but not camping.
It shows that since 2019 there are now 103 more rooms and 186 more beds.
The new Premier Inn with 100 rooms makes up the majority of the change, but crucially overall numbers have not slumped.
Not included in the latest figures are La Grande Mare Hotel, which is being redeveloped into accommodation lodges, and Hotel Ziggurat, which has been bought by Hand Picked Hotels and is expected to re-open later this year.
However, the overall picture is mixed because alongside signs of revival there is also some uncertainty. For instance the Blue Horizon Hotel, near Moulin Huet and Jerbourg, has closed.
Mr Sillett said the key issue for the future of tourism was extending the runway.
‘I think the vote will pass in the States, but I don’t think the war on the runway is won even with the vote passed, because then they’ve got to try and get it through in this term.
‘My concern is the next States might have a different bunch of politicians, but we’ll see.’
