'We need new ferry timetable to end uncertainty'

Hannah Beacom hopes schedules will be released soon

More people will choose Guernsey as a place to visit if ferry schedules are released soon, according to a tourism boss.

Islanders and businesses are waiting for new ferry timetables to be released for trips from March onwards.

Last month the Committee for Economic Development announced Brittany Ferries, Condor's parent company, as its preferred bidder while Jersey is still to make a decision on who will run its sea links.

Hannah Beacom, Tourism Management Board (TMB) chair, said the island would be "open for business," if schedules were announced ahead of its sister island.

She said there may be a great opportunity to elevate the island's tourism industry if Guernsey released its ferry schedules ahead of Jersey.

Ms Beacom said the board asked for timetables to be released earlier in the year.

However, she warned that without connectivity between the islands "bookings will still sit there as provisional" and there's a danger people would go elsewhere.

Ms Beacom said daily trips to both the UK and France were important for visitors awaiting the new ferry schedules.

'Critical time'

Andrew Chantrell, general manager at the Old Government House and Duke of Richmond hotels and board member of the Guernsey Hospitality Association, said: "We want to see the schedule as soon as possible to give people that opportunity."

He said the association wanted to forge a relationship with Brittany Ferries to deliver the best service for customers.

"Timing, delivery and reliability" are the most important factors for the board, he said.