Our dear Channel Island faces precipitous tourism decline

Guernsey’s tourism levels have declined significantly over the last seven years, according to Travel Survey statistics.

Last year’s count of 289,700 visitors to the British Crown dependency pales in significance to 2011’s 358,700.

Numbers have fluctuated in the interim years but demonstrate a net loss, dropping to 279,650 in 2016.

Barren shores: Guernsey’s pristine beaches no longer attract the vast numbers of tourists that they used to

This has happened amid evidence of financial struggles from Aurigny, a popular airline operating from Gatwick that is expected to lose nearly £4 million this year.

However, statistics show that the proportion of air travelers has remained stable (around 63%), suggesting that declines in sea travel are equally responsible.

Although fewer UK-Guernsey trips are being made, the UK now accounts for a larger proportion of visitors (over 70%), placing the emphasis on maintaining tourism links elsewhere.

Guernsey’s tourism levels are falling sharply, but neither the UK nor major airlines are entirely responsible.

Guernsey’s Commerce and Employment Department must seek drastic solutions if they are to reach their single-annum target of 400,000 visitors before 2025, as detailed in their 2015 plan.

It is evident that current efforts towards providing a ‘unique archipelago experience’ through developing new tourist attractions have been insufficient.

The neighbouring island of Jersey has set the standard by consistently drawing in around 700,000 visitors per annum since 2011.