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Visit Guernsey will be working with Paris-based firm TQC to try and encourage more interest in the islands from our continental neighbours during this year and next.
The appointment of a new French PR partner follows the decision by Guernsey woman Ellen Groves to quit late last year.
Ellen Groves had been representing the Bailiwick of Guernsey in France since January 2023, but said it was “unconscionable” to represent the island in France after disagreeing with the States’ approach to commenting on the Israel/ Gaza war.
In a statement to the media in November, Ms Groves said that it was no longer possible for her to continue in “my role of defending Guernsey’s culture in France”.
Ms Groves said “France has now joined the global call for a ceasefire. I, in my small role and limited scope as the PR representative for Visit Guernsey in France, strongly recommended Guernsey do the same.
“Yet as of writing, more than a month after the States of Guernsey's statement of ‘unequivocal’ standing by Israel, the government of Guernsey has still made no call for a ceasefire and solidarity also with the people of Palestine. Despite repeated email requests to all deputies from Guernsey residents to do so.”
Pictured: Visit Guernsey has been making plans for 2024, 2025, and beyond.
Visit Guernsey - the States body tasked with promoting the island to potential visitors - used its new year update to share the news of the appointment of Paris-based firm TQC as its new French partner.
Visit Guernsey said that TQC "specialises in tourism and travel" and that it was identified as preferred bidder after it "demonstrated a sound understanding of our marketing requirements with a well-researched proposal that was tailored to our 2024 and 2025 focuses".
The firm already works with smaller destinations such as Guernsey, and Visit Guernsey said "we are confident they will provide the energy and know-how required to further build the VisitGuernsey brand in the French Market.
"We’re very much looking forward to working with them to promote our routes, including the new Paris flights, to develop our visiting journalist programme with a range of relevant press and influencer trips, and to communicate with and grow our existing French consumer database."
Pictured: The new Paris air link is one of the benefits Visit Guernsey is anticipating this year.
Visit Guernsey is using continental links to drive tourism in 2024, with the 80th anniversaries of the D-Day landings and Liberation Day in 2024 and 2025 respectively among the priorities.
Aurigny's new Paris air link is also considered a benefit for the tourism sector.
Visit Guernsey's 2024 planning has included granting money to a number of local events and organisations which bring people to the island with a variety of interests covered.
"Extending the season remains one of our key strategic aims for 2024 - but that does not mean we are neglecting the rest of the year – far from it," said Visit Guernsey in its latest trade update.
"We saw some successes with this in 2023, with increased occupancy, compared to 2022 and pre-Covid, in the months outside of the traditional summer season. Our other key strategic aims included lowering the average demographic, while holding on to our older repeat guests, encouraging visitors to spend more and stay for longer. Data we collected via our marketing and the exit survey during 2023 tells us we are making progress in these areas, which is encouraging.
"The new year brings with it new creative, and we've been developing ours to further focus on authenticity, showcasing real people doing real things alongside our stunning island backdrops."
Letter sent to deputies calling for support of Gaza ceasefire
Visit Guernsey representative quits over States' silence on ceasefire
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