Members of the Guernsey Hospitality Association met candidates and quizzed them on matters relating to the island’s hospitality industry.
The manifesto outlines a vision for revitalising the island’s visitor economy and hospitality sector. With tourism contributing in the region of 14% of Guernsey’s GDP, the GHA urged candidates to recognise the both the economic and social importance of the sector.
‘The hospitality industry is here for the long haul,’ said GHA president Alan Sillett.
‘Our members are all aware of their own views on hospitality and the visitor economy, so it is great to get an insight into what the candidates think. Our future deputies should use industry bodies like ours to discuss where tourism is going, and they need to be open and engage with us.’
He stressed that the visitor economy was about community life, jobs, and the island’s global image. ‘The visitor economy and hospitality sector is vital both socially and economically.’
The event attracted more than three-quarters of election candidates.
‘There was a lot of conversation around air connectivity which is a hot topic at the moment. Lots of candidates believe that this needs tackling,’ Mr Sillett said.
‘It has been a very useful exercise for both for our members and the candidates.’
GHA vice-president Jamie Le Friec expressed similar views, highlighting the need for practical reforms.
‘A number of mechanical things need to be fixed to enable tourism, such as reviewing management and the island’s connectivity issue,’ he said.
The GHA’s manifesto calls for stronger support for the island’s visitor economy. It has proposed creating an independent tourism body to lead development and marketing.
Key goals include improving air and sea links, investing in attractions and events, and supporting long-term hospitality workers. The GHA believes tourism is vital to Guernsey’s economy, and it wants future deputies to work closely with them to help it grow.
It is also still calling for the introduction of a visitor levy, ringfenced for use on tourism and hospitality initiatives.
It said that such levies are common in many jurisdictions throughout the world, including Bermuda, Switzerland and Japan, and soon to come in Scotland.
This could be used to fund EMAS on the runway, or attractions and events, or to develop sales and product, without drawing on the taxpayer, the GHA said.
Candidate Steve Falla, a member of the Committee for Economic Development, which has tourism in its portfolio, voiced strong support for the hospitality industry.
‘I am a pro-business deputy, and hospitality is a really important part of the business sector. I would like to partner with hospitality to improve the sector and provide them with the support they need to help it thrive,’ he said.
Fellow candidate Haley Camp said: ‘It has been great to hear some inspiring ideas about shifting the face of tourism and bringing it into the 21st century. It’s been good to cut out the noise and get to the real issues and challenges facing the hospitality sector in Guernsey,’ she said.
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