THE Jersey Travel Service has expanded its programme for 2000 with the launch of four themed holidays, including a gastronomic break to coincide with the island’s International Food Festival.
The operator’s product manager Jo-Ann Canevali said Jersey Travel Service was aiming to promote the island as an alternative to France for gastronomic breaks out of season.
“Jersey has some excellent restaurants and some fine hotels and we are trying to tap the market that would normally go to France to sample the restaurants and bistros,” said Canevali.
“Jersey is only 35 minutes from Gatwick, and it is very affordable out of season, particularly as there is no VAT.”
Jersey Travel Service’s new Food Festival Holiday package includes flights from Gatwick or Southampton, plus seven nights at the three-star Royal Hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis and a five-course gourmet meal. It costs from £449 per person and starts on May 13, the first day of the seven-day festival which has become one of the island’s major annual events.
During the festival visitors can try local and international cuisine cooked by visiting chefs from all over the world. Following the success of the event, Jersey Tourism has decided to incorporate a food theme into its marketing campaign.
Jersey Tourism marketing executive UK and Ireland Emma Pallot said: “We are still promoting Jersey as a value for money destination but we have introduced food as a subliminal message. What we are saying is ‘come to Jersey for good value for money, and while you are here, enjoy the food’.”
Jersey has a vast range of restaurants serving everything from Thai to Portuguese cuisine but the island’s speciality is fresh seafood. Five of the island’s restaurants sport Michelin stars, but it is possible to eat at less grand establishments where the menus start from less than £8 a head. Jersey Tourism produces an Eating Out Guide that lists details of restaurants, cafes, pubs and wine bars, tea-rooms and hotel restaurants open to non-residents. It costs £1 per copy.
Other themed breaks introduced by Jersey Travel Service this year are walking, cycling and gardening.
“We first introduced themed holidays last year when we launched our Floral Extravaganza tour which proved so popular that we decided to offer more themed breaks this year,” said Canevali.
Also new are all-inclusive holidays at the three-star Hotel de la Plage, which start at £217 for two nights including flights. The operator is the only one offering all-inclusive packages on the island. Canevali said that since the launch of its 2000 programme, Jersey Travel Service had seen a 60% increase in its business compared to the same period last year.
“To be honest, this is largely due to the fact that since we are now owned by Thomson, we have the support of Lunn Poly,” she said. “But we have also expanded the programme and the themed breaks have sold particularly well.”
Sample restaurants
Restaurant Address Average cost Comments in Eating Out Guide
Babylon Bar and 5-6 The Esplanade Lunch:up to £8 Fun, stylish and atmospheric
Restaurant St Helier Tel: 811110 Dinner: £21-£25 surroundings. Buzzing at night
Drive In Gorey Coast Road, Lunch: up to £8 A well known al fresco eaterie.
BBQ and St Martin. Tel: 851266 Dinner: up to £8 Specialising in seafood, BBQ, Thai
Seafood Garden and fast food.
Janvrins Farm Portelet Bay Lunch: £12-£16 A grand old-fashioned farmhouse
Restaurant St Brelade Tel:742791 Dinner: £21-£25
Green Island Green Island, Lunch: £16-£21 Rustic beachside location offering
Restaurant St Clement Tel: 857787 Dinner: £21-£25 local fish and shellfish with an Essence of the Mediterranean
Mahmood’s 6 Cheapside, Lunch: Up to £8 With an international award-winning
Tandoori Night St Helier Tel: 607091 Dinner: £8-£12 chef offering an authentic Indian cuisine in a relaxing atmosphere
Suma’s Gorey Hill, Gorey, Lunch: £16-£21 Modern and chic offering a St Martin Tel: 853291 Dinner: £30+ Mediterranean influence. Stunning views over Gorey Harbour.
Village Bistro Gorey Village, Lunch:£12-£16 Intimate restaurant offering modern Grouville Tel: 853429 Dinner £25-£30 cuisine
Prices are based on an average cost of a meal for one person, including an aperitif and half a bottle of house wine and, where applicable, service change. There is no VAT in Jersey.
n Information taken from the Eating Out Guide, produced by Jersey Tourism.
TABLE: Sample restaurants
Restaurant Address Average cost Comments in Eating Out Guide
Babylon Bar and 5-6 The Esplanade Lunch:up to £8 Fun, stylish and atmospheric
Restaurant St Helier Tel: 811110 Dinner: £21-£25 surroundings. Buzzing at night
Drive In Gorey Coast Road, Lunch: up to £8 A well known al fresco eaterie.
BBQ and St Martin. Tel: 851266 Dinner: up to £8 Specialising in seafood, BBQ, Thai
Seafood Garden and fast food.
Janvrins Farm Portelet Bay Lunch: £12-£16 A grand old-fashioned farmhouse
Restaurant St Brelade Tel:742791 Dinner: £21-£25
Green Island Green Island, Lunch: £16-£21 Rustic beachside location offering
Restaurant St Clement Tel: 857787 Dinner: £21-£25 local fish and shellfish with an Essence of the Mediterranean
Mahmood’s 6 Cheapside, Lunch: Up to £8 With an international award-winning
Tandoori Night St Helier Tel: 607091 Dinner: £8-£12 chef offering an authentic Indian cuisine in a relaxing atmosphere
Suma’s Gorey Hill, Gorey, Lunch: £16-£21 Modern and chic offering a St Martin Tel: 853291 Dinner: £30+ Mediterranean influence. Stunning views over Gorey Harbour.
Village Bistro Gorey Village, Lunch:£12-£16 Intimate restaurant offering modern Grouville Tel: 853429 Dinner £25-£30 cuisine
Prices are based on an average cost of a meal for one person, including an aperitif and half a bottle of house wine and, where applicable, service change. There is no VAT in Jersey.
n Information taken from the Eating Out Guide, produced by Jersey Tourism.