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Economic Development continues to stand by its new approach to tourism after it came under renewed fire for delegating responsibility to a new board.
The Guernsey Aviation Action Group, who campaign for an extension to Guernsey’s runway to allow for “industry-standard” jets to service the island, sent a letter to all deputies last week saying that a “part-time” tourism board “just won’t cut it”.
While Economic Development did not directly respond to the letter, they have consistently stood by the Tourism Management Board and its aims since it was formed earlier this year.
The Board has been tasked by Economic Development to work across industry, and with the States-run Visit Guernsey, to devise a new tourism strategy.
In its letter, GAAG called for the Beecham Report to be “revisted and implemented as soon as possible”, and for there to be a full-time political lead heading up a tourism and hospitality committee.
The report’s author, Keith Beecham, now works as an adviser to the Tourism Management Board, despite having his key recommendation – that Visit Guernsey should be taken out of government’s hand – rejected by Economic Development.
He proposed that the tourism and marketing agency should become independent, with a full-time Chief Executive and several employees.
The Tourism Management Board has maintained that it's committed to working collaboratively and inclusively with industry.
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