Under the new name the marinas will continue to use existing staff and resources, but have a focus on promoting and growing the leisure marine sector, and look to increase revenue through marine tourism.
The new brand was launched to the French market at the inaugural St Malo Boat Show over the weekend.
Last year some 20,000 people visited Guernsey by private vessel, an increase of 11% on the previous year.
‘We are already a marina of choice for dozens of prestigious sailing races and regattas, who come to explore our exciting cruising grounds and vibrant waterfront,’ said assistant harbour master Kieran Higgs.
‘We are charting a course towards becoming a premier marine destination for all vessels.
‘This will be achieved over time through sustained investment in our facilities and a commitment to excellent customer service, working in partnership with the blue economy across Guernsey.’
Guernsey Ports completed a £300,000 pontoon upgrade in the Victoria Marina last winter and has invested £1.3m. in replacing and reconfiguring pontoons in the QE2 Marina over the last 12 months.
Other refurbishment projects have included the redecking of older wooden pontoons in the Albert Marina and the replacement of the main Fish Quay pontoon.
In total, more than £20m. of investment has been identified across the marinas within the next 10 years to help address and maximise the operational use of ageing infrastructure.
A new website is being built and social media accounts have been set up under the new brand.
‘Our attendance at the first St Malo Boat Show was a fantastic opportunity to promote our island and further strengthen our relations with Normandy and Brittany marinas,’ Mr Higgs added.
‘We had the opportunity to reconnect with lots of regular visitors to Guernsey and showcase the beauty of our island to the thousands in attendance.’
Passeport Escales scheme attracting more yacht visitors
Guernsey Ports’ involvement in the reciprocal leisure boating programme Passeport Escales is helping to attract more yacht visitors.
Local boatowners with a mooring can register locally with the programme for £35, which gives them up to 10 free nights per season across more than 100 marinas in UK, France and wider Europe.
Mr Higgs said the scheme gave local boatowners better value and promoted the island more widely and attracted new visitors.
‘The main driver behind our enrolment in Passeport Escales was to provide our mooring holders with increased value by offsetting travel to a superb range of marinas, giving them more reasons and opportunities to use their boats,’ said Mr Higgs.
‘In return, as it’s a reciprocal agreement, Guernsey Ports is now promoted across a vast network of participating marinas and regions.
‘This has helped to put Guernsey on the map and promote our excellent cruising grounds to a whole new audience.
‘In the short time we have been a member, we have welcomed a number of first-time leisure visitors from Europe, who have gone on to stay longer than their initial two free nights, while it has also prompted previous visitors to return to our waters again.’
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