No cruise ships but “high hopes” for summer tourism

Saturday 06 March 2021

This year’s cruise ship season has been cancelled, however it is hoped that the island may yet welcome tourists again this summer.

The news comes before any update on whether or not border restrictions will be lifted.

“I can understand the early decision made by Economic Development,” said the Head of the Civil Contingencies Authority, Deputy Peter Ferbrache.

“Cruise ship companies need to know months in advance whether they can come to some particular venue.”

Pictured: Guernsey joins Australia and the Seychelles in extending its cruise ship ban until 2022.

Guernsey’s last cruise season, in 2019, saw more than 100,000 people come ashore from various liners. The season usually starts in March and runs through to October.

“The cruise sector is very important to the Bailiwick of Guernsey and to our tourism industry,” said Economic Development President Deputy Neil Inder. “This is not a decision that the Committee has taken lightly.

“Following consultation with Public Health, we have taken the proactive decision to cancel the cruise programme for this year and focus our efforts on the 2022 cruise programme."

Pictured: “We would like to thank the cruise industry for their understanding and support,” said Deputy Inder.

Despite this, the Head of the CCA said Guernsey may still generate some tourism this year, with vaccine passports a possibility. 

“We’re hoping that there will be tourism in the summer,” said Deputy Ferbrache, who has previously said the island is exploring air bridges with Jersey and the Isle of Man. 

The CCA will be discussing what to do with Guernsey's borders next week and Deputy Ferbrache hopes the authority "will be able to give an update on our borders the week after that.”