Tourism plan puts cart before horse
I AM appalled by so much nonsense written in the Press and, particularly, by Commerce and Employment with their '10-year plan for tourism'. As a travel agent, the article has prompted me to comment on their proposals. With respect to Messrs Hopkins and Wheadon, the jargon and hype apart, I suggest their plan is not only unrealistic but puts the cart before the horse for several reasons – a travel agent's point of view.
Firstly, there is no point whatsoever of an extension to our extremely expensive runway as Guernsey now has only approximately 3,800 beds (instead of 14,000 in the 1980s) so there is nowhere much for anyone extra to sleep. Building a new airport while reducing the bed stock for tourists by over 10,000 wasn't too bright, was it?
Secondly, the powers that be have not done their homework properly regarding the purchase of a large Embraer aircraft. We are hardly a 'Singapore' or 'Emirates' and, for a tiny place with minimal tourism, aircraft should be leased not purchased, allowing flexibility of operation. We have acquired an aircraft that we simply cannot afford to operate. But, just a minute old boy, we have only borrowed £400,000,000, which will be perfectly OK as that is what the UK does; after all ... money is so cheap to borrow. Dream on.
Commerce and Employment's strategy of sustainable expansion, etc., can only be a pipe dream as Guernsey becomes ever more isolated; it is already a satellite of Jersey and expensive fare structures will only become even more expensive and complicated and will discourage an expansion of tourism in the future. We are faced with the inevitability of a shrinking market.
The States of Guernsey has been misled by Condor with the purchase of 'Liberation' – an old vessel not fit for purpose and with a user-unfriendly timetable for passage to/from the UK Harbour Authorities, despite the advice from our expert local mariners – and are hell-bent on chasing, like lemmings, a limited number of punters from cruise ships who spend little. Certain individuals at the Harbour are so confused and muddled that they are unable to see the terminal for the pier. The rape and pillage of St Peter Port Harbour continues unabated to the detriment and destruction of traffic and Town retailers alike. The scheme is a huge embarrassment for local people.
States of Guernsey grow up. These cruise ships do not sit in our waters because they love us; they dock in the only deep water port outside Europe to benefit financially with the rebate of VAT which fills the coffers of the cruise lines. Once again, vested interests by big business. There is no pot of gold for Guernsey.
We have dozens of excellent hoteliers and restaurateurs who strive tirelessly to offer a first-class service in our island, however, we still fail miserably in looking after valued clients arriving at our airport and harbour. Where are the taxis after 8pm? Far too often, passengers and families with children are forced to wait for hours before a transfer to their accommodation can be found. A vital ingredient: Welcome to Guernsey. Where is the 'meet and greet' with tourist information? Most tourist destinations around the world operate their 'meet and greet' service at any hour in an excellent fashion. This is a priority for first arrivals at any destination. These basic principles of hospitality should be part of a standard strategy; never mind wasting millions on TV adverts when we can't even meet our valued clients properly on arrival in Guernsey.
Dear me, what a shambles it all is with shocking business decisions being implemented within the States of Guernsey, mainly by outsiders who now dictate the pace of this chaos. The immersion of 'Professor this' and 'Doctor that' in some 'digital greenhouse' (whatever that is) provides no panacea for our real problems. How about some common sense in the decision-making?
With best intentions, I wonder from where Commerce and Employment will find their extra customers in future years and, if they do, where will they sleep; even now two of our finest sites, Jerbourg and Bon Port, remain empty. New airline routes are set up on the strength and commitment of tour operators who need guaranteed beds before considering a new route. We are failing. Wake up, please.
Do you see what I mean about 'the cart before the horse' gentlemen? Mrs McCall (easyJet) and Mr O'Leary (Ryanair), contrary to popular belief, have no interest in operating to Guernsey. We are not a viable proposition for them with their airline systems which function on a grand scale in the global markets. They need beds for their clients to sleep in.
Nobody listens, and I am unable to share your optimistic vision of the future for an increase of 30% in tourism, however well intentioned. You have no chance – look at the facts. We need to get our house in order and concentrate on the marketing of the gorgeous assets we have – the parishes and unique spirit of our community, Herm, our cliff walks, beaches, hidden lanes, leafy glades, history and wonderful restaurants.
We have got it all wrong. Wrong planes, wrong ferry, wrong buses, wrong strategy, wrong priorities; no cohesive policy while millions are being squandered on ill-conceived, unnecessary schemes.
Guernsey is not about cruise passengers, nor marauding hordes of mass tourism suffocating our tiny airport. Keep it simple; Guernsey must cut its cloth according to its means. The system button is on self-destruct. We have to be more professional for tourism to survive at all. We have to concentrate on being much, much better at what we do before destroying that which we have.
This is a vision for the future.
Give me strength, poor old Guernsey – the priorities, as implemented by the authorities, are all wrong, with little vision of what to create in the future. When the money finally runs out, the bankers and the 'have you seen me' brigade disappear, there may be some consolation for those of us left before the very heart of our island is ripped apart by the greed of vested interests.
MICHEL,
Travel agent.
