Visitor industry is States' main business concern

Friday 15 May 2020

With the tourism and hospitality industries likely to take the biggest hit from the corona virus pandemic, the States are planning to support them "well into the future".

Transport services and hotels will be some of the last businesses to return to 'normality', with the island's borders set to remain closed until the final stage of the lockdown exit strategy.

Although many local companies are suffering financially as a result of the virus, the States are most concerned about those that rely on visitors.

"The obvious ones are things like transport connectivity, but significantly also the visitor accommodation sector," said States Chief Executive, Paul Whitfield. "They are the most distressed and will need support,"

Pictured: Paul Whitfield.

But, it's not all about financial support. The States will also be encouraging Bailiwick residents to take a 'staycation' - when that's possible - to put much needed money back into the local economy.

"The better we do at working through these phases and the quicker we can go, the sooner we can get to a Bailiwick 'bubble', for example," added Mr Whitfield. "So we can look at 'staycations' and we can start opening up the viability of the business again.

"Whilst they will need support longer, we need to also look at exit and recovery to support those businesses well into the future."

It may be difficult to plan too far ahead for a Bailiwick staycation though, as some hotels are not yet planning to reopen.

La Grande Mare has announced its hotel will stay closed after lockdown as it instead 'fast tracks' its redevelopment plans. 

Stocks in Sark has said it will be closed until at least the end of June, and is contacting anyone with bookings in the meantime.

Herm has also contacted customers with bookings for early summer and has said it can't set a date for reopening its facilities until after it is directed to by the States of Guernsey.