‘Hoteliers’ snub will not stop Tourism Management Board’
HOTELIERS who say they can no longer work with tourism bosses will not stop the progress of a new Tourism Management Board, its chairwoman has said.
Hannah Beacom said she had received strong applications for places on the board and would be shortlisting this week.
The Guernsey Hospitality Association – which claims to represent about 85% of the accommodation sector – is refusing to participate. It wants tourism to be run more independently from the States.
‘I am disappointed that the board of the Guernsey Hospitality Association have responded so negatively to the formation of the Tourism Management Board,’ said Mrs Beacom.
‘They had the opportunity to steer the strategy of their own industry and have chosen to refuse to participate. It is not productive.’
It is understood that some hoteliers who are not represented by the GHA are willing to be involved.
‘I have received strong applicants for all seats, including excellent candidates from the accommodation sector,’ said Mrs Beacom.
‘The board of the GHA represents a large number of hotels and restaurants, [but] they do not speak for the whole industry.
‘The Tourism Management Board will include representatives from carriers, travel agents, online transport, events management and, of course, accommodation.
‘Though I would have welcomed the opportunity to work closely with the board of the GHA from the start, there are many others within the industry who also have strategic thinking and fresh ideas.
‘I hope that, once I have had the opportunity to recruit the full team and when we go out to consult the wider industry, the board of the GHA will engage at that point.’
The board was set up by Economic Development. It will also help create a new tourism strategy.
Mrs Beacom said she was aware of the GHA’s views about the future of tourism, but added that the strategy ‘cannot be for the benefit of their members alone’.
Economic Development president Neil Inder issued an open letter to the industry late yesterday in which he appealed to the GHA to reconsider.
‘We are disappointed that the board of the Guernsey Hospitality Association is not engaging with the new Tourism Management Board,’ said Deputy Inder.
‘We believe this is a missed opportunity and would urge the GHA’s board to reconsider that decision.’
