Tourism businesses weathering the rain
INDOOR tourism businesses are thriving in the bad weather, but despite regular rain and strong winds, outdoor holiday businesses have tried to keep going where they can.
August is normally the height of the season for tourism trade, with businesses relying on good weather.
Charity Guernsey Sailing Trust is running sailing courses during the school holidays.
The trust’s principal, Sarah Creasey, said that while it had been forced to cancel more of its sessions than normal, many people were still wanting to get out on the water.
‘We’ve had to use the model yacht pond more instead of the sea, but those who have come down have still really enjoyed themselves and have learned something new,’ she said.
‘It has been quieter than last year but we have still had good numbers turning up, even for our Saturday morning drop-in sessions.’
Guernsey Island Rib Voyages managing director Dan Meinke said that the spell of poor weather had been frustrating for the company, especially after last summer’s heatwave and blue skies.
‘Last year was exceptional, as most years we inevitably have to cancel some trips, as we have had to do this year,’ he said.
‘It’s unfortunate, but there isn’t much we can do.’
The company normally runs six or seven trips a day every day of the week, with sea conditions fortunately still good enough for the majority of journeys to run.
‘On the trips that do go the rib is full to capacity with all 12 spaces filled, but it’s obviously a bigger loss this time of year on the ones that don’t go,’ Mr Meinke added.
Indoor businesses have been thriving, with La Vallette bathing pools community lead Helen Bonner-Morgan saying that business tended to increase at the pools’ cafe when the weather was poor.
‘Obviously we don’t see huge numbers of people staying down by the pools all day, but there are still lots of people who will go for a swim and then come into the cafe to warm up with a coffee.
‘We review what we need to order in terms of food and drink on a daily basis and always make sure that the cafe is a warm, welcoming space.’
German Underground Hospital director Paul Bourgaize said that the Second World War site always got busier when the weather took a turn for the worse during the summer months.
‘I think we probably see a 30-40% increase in the number of visitors when it starts raining,’ he said.
‘The only downside for us at the moment is that the bus stop nearest the hospital is currently suspended, so hopefully that won’t impact us too much over the next few weeks.’
