Tourism industry suffers after Government U-turn

Monday 02 August 2021

Guernsey’s tourism industry received a short-lived boost in bookings following the 1 July border relaxation but has suffered since, due to the CCA's decision-making and its u-turns on border policy.

The Chair of the Guernsey Tourism Partnership has described disappointment in the industry following a much-needed increase in tourist activity.

“There was an increase in bookings and an increase in interest across the board,” said Anthony Ford Parker.

“We saw an upturn, the hotels saw an increase and this filtered down to the tour guides and other activity providers. The decision to change to testing before arrival put a block on all that.”

Pictured: Government backtracking has led to criticism from one of Guernsey’s largest hotel groups.

Mr Parker approached members of the GTP to report their experiences following the swift changes over the past week.

“We went out to industry, and across the board everyone has seen their bookings decrease, this has pushed into August and September. 

“People aren’t committing because they’re realising that things could change at any moment.”

On Friday 23 July, the Civil Contingencies Authority announced that fully vaccinated travellers from within the Common Travel Area would require a negative test prior to travel. Following mounting public backlash this policy was changed to an enforced purchase of lateral flow tests on arrival for £25.

“It’s a huge shame and a massive disappointment,” said Mr Parker.

“We’ve come to rely on the CCA to make good solid decisions, and follow them through based on science. To have a decision like that made in haste and immediately reversed has created so much uncertainty,” he said.

Pictured:  The GTP went out to its members to ask for feedback on the recent changes. 

Many in the tourist industry have been forced to return deposits and cancel trips.

“It was all looking so good, it was looking positive, businesses were looking forward to an upturn – that was very short-lived.”

“We need a period of certainty now and we need to be a little more welcoming,” concluded Mr Parker, who suggested that “charging people for tests is not the nicest thing to do for people coming into the island.”

The Managing Director of Island Coachways Limited echoed the concerns shared by Mr Parker.

"Sadly, since the recent announcements from the CCA, there is a lack of confidence from our travel agents," said Hannah Beacom.

"For the first time, they do not understand the announcements from the States of Guernsey which makes it difficult to sell to their own guests."

Pictured: "Some [tourists] have been made to feel unwelcome as some restaurants and shops have actively discouraged visitors from entering their premises.  This had led visitors to question whether Guernsey is truly open for business," said Ms Beacom, who's company operates tourist tours around the island.

Ms Beacom cites difficulties with the Travel Tracker as another reason tourists are being put off coming back to Guernsey.

"There are concerns that Guernsey has been inconsistent with its messaging and that the travel tracker is unsuited for dealing with large groups, particularly of the demographic that take coach tours.

"We have had mixed [feedback].  Given the issues with the arrival process, in particular the travel tracker, we can be waiting up to two hours for passengers to clear.  This is not the best start to a holiday," she said.

Travel Agents are reporting the ease in which tourists have been able to book in to holidays in Jersey instead, potentially seeing a movement in trade between the two islands.

"We are being told by agents that it has been much easier to do business in Jersey and there is a real possibility that business will move there and we will no longer see a bounce back in Guernsey tourism next year," concluded Ms Beacom.