Guernsey Tourist Board gave the opportunity for local tourist companies to join them on their BTTF stand for the first time this year. For 1999, only one company – the St Pierre Park Hotel – has taken space.
Promoting the destination on behalf of the tourist board will be UK marketing manager Denise Cheir and assistant marketing manager Beatrice Clouin. Like most UK destinations, the island had a difficult year in 1998.
Final figures have yet to be compiled, but the tourist board is pessimistic about the outcome.
Looking ahead to this year, the picture is mixed. “Some hotels and guest houses say forward bookings have improved, though responses from the public for our brochure and video pack is down,” said a spokeswoman for the tourist board.
Visitor numbers from overseas will almost certainly be affected in the coming year by the recent decision of KLM UK to cease its direct services to the island from Stansted, Southampton and Amsterdam.
Though air services continue to be provided by Jersey European Airways and British Airways, the tourist board is particularly disappointed at losing the service from Amsterdam because of its importance for business from mainland Europe.
Available from the stand will be the tourist board’s new travel trade information pack.
Produced specifically for agents and operators, it gives detailed information on what the island has to offer in the off-peak months as well as the summer season and includes advice on the opportunities for multi-centre holidays.
Details will also be available from the stand on the events to take place in Guernsey this year. An example is the food and wine festival in April, which culminates in a competition to find the island’s ‘Restaurant of the Year’.