Since the release of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society in UK cinemas just last month. VisitGuernsey’s trade partners are reporting a healthy increase in holiday bookings, as tourists plan visits to ‘The island that inspired the film’.

In the immediate five days after the film release the VisitGuernsey website saw an 130% uplift in traffic. Key tour operator partners have also been really positive with C. I. Travel Group reporting a 55% increase in bookings to Guernsey in April compared to 2017. Leading online travel agent, Opodo, has also revealed that Guernsey is its sixth biggest growth destination for the early May Bank Holiday weekend, with a 155% YOY increase in passenger growth. This is even more remarkable given the other destinations featured - such as big-hitters Boston, Chicago, New York, Cancun and LA.

Pictured: Del Mar Court self catering apartments

However, Sandra Berry from Del Mar Court self catering apartments said: "Actually, we haven’t seen an increase in enquiries yet but hopefully with the increased traffic going through to the VisitGuernsey website it will help in the future.  Our enquiries are on a par with previous years so hoping our season will be as good as last year.   I know the occupancy figures for the last quarter were down but now the weather is improving hopefully more will want to visit ‘sunny’ Guernsey."

Pictured: La Grande Mare Hotel

Simon Vermeulen, joint managing director, La Grande Mare Hotel was positive about the VisitGuernsey results and optimistic in their translation to bookings: “That’s great news and we look forward to welcoming them to Guernsey this year."

Mr Vermeulen did not think his bookings were necessarily as a direct result of the film: "We’ve had a lot of Germans this year and last year stay with us at LGM. They see Guernsey more as a main vacation because they like to bring all their Golf Clubs with them, they would love to fly direct. We are not blessed with brilliant links sadly, but that’s not holding us back too much. We have had another large group staying with us this year enjoying walks around the Island. They loved the Island, our Hotel, its food and staff and hopefully we will see them again."

Pictured: The Peninsula Hotel

Ian Walker owner of The Peninsula, Les Douvres and Fleur Du Jardin Hotel could not praise the film enough, he said: "I have had numerous enquiries from America and people asking me to get back to them if I have any cancellations. The film has increased interest in all our hotels and I cannot praise it enough. it has had a really positive impact on the island and interest in visitors from many places around the world."

Mike Hopkins, Director of Marketing & Tourism, VisitGuernsey said: “As well as bringing the island to new audiences the film is reigniting interest from those who have perhaps not visited Guernsey for a while and are reminded by the film of the genuine warmth of its residents and unique charm of the island. We have worked hard to maximise the opportunity the film presents with incremental investment focused on broadcast media advertising campaigns, trade relations campaigns, high-profile affinity marketing and joint campaigns with STUDIO CANAL. We are delighted to see such an initial positive response and impact and will be continuing to work hard to maintain this momentum.”

Beverley Scarr, Short Haul General Manager at Premier Holidays, VisitGuernsey’s largest tour operator partner, said: “We’ve seen significant interest in Guernsey following the release of The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society and our campaign to support the film. Promotion around the film has led to an upturn in sales for us in April and we expect this to continue into May. Feedback from our key agents has been very positive; those who have seen the film really enjoyed it as it gave them an insight into what Guernsey was like during the Second World War. They have taken advantage of our marketing campaign and special offers to inspire clients to visit the island, generating an increase in Guernsey bookings.”