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Nearly 40% of seats have been sold for the new seasonal Paris air route up to October, but the States plans to bring over French reporters and influencers to better publicise the connection when it launches in less than a month.
65% of seats for April have been sold, and the States say this and the other summer bookings are “looking encouraging”.
It had been announced that VisitGuernsey was working with a Paris-based public relations agency to cross-promote the destinations, and now it’s been revealed that 20 French reporters will visit the island over 2024.
These include newspaper and magazine writers, as well as social media influencers.
It's hoped this will spur more sales on the new route, which the States provided three-year financial backing to so a major European route could be established in line with strategic transport policies.
Economic Development will release up to £324,000 this year, with a slowly reducing amount up to March 2027. The actual grant will depend on the commercial performance of the service.
Pictured: A breakdown of maximum spends of public money for the Paris route.
Deputy Neil Inder, President of Economic Development, said sales are expected to pick up soon, but hoped the public can see its decision to back the route “was solid.
“The financial support we have committed to diminishes with increased sales and based on the early bookings we’re already at a level where that support will be much lower than the maximum we earmarked for the first year."
Nico Bezuidenhout, CEO of Aurigny, added: “Consumer response to the launch of our Paris services has been positive, with advance bookings for our first month of operations, in April 2024, standing at 65% and steadily improving as we get closer to the start of operations.
“As with the establishment of any new regular route, we expect that a full season of operations would be required to more accurately judge sustainable year-round demand, but we are pleased with the level of demand so far.”
Flights will run twice weekly on Fridays and Monday using an ATR aircraft from April 1.
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