Holiday should start the minute you board ferry

Have you been a 'guest' of Condor this summer? James Falla finds out why James Fulford, pictured, the ferry firm's new CEO, believes in the islands, believes in tourism and wants your sea trip to become part of your holiday...

'I DON'T work in shipping,' was James Fulford's response to my very first question about the career path which has now taken him to Condor Ferries.

'I do admit to working in transportation. But the job is about transportation, tourism and logistics.

'Things shouldn't be led by the ships, they should be led by the customer. The ships are just how we do it.'

Mr Fulford's arrival as chief executive at Condor Ferries at the turn of the year has seen a few changes in the passenger ferry business, which set sail in the islands for the first time nearly 50 years ago.

Passengers will now find themselves referred to as guests and the boss takes the view that their ferry trip, be it to or from the islands, should be the first part of their holiday.

• Read James Falla's interview with James Fulford in the Business Extra section of today's Guernsey Press.