Tourists will 'go elsewhere', warns ferry boss

Condor Ferries' contract runs out in 2025

Ferry firms and business groups have called for an "immediate" decision on which company will run ferry operations in the Channel Islands from March.

Brittany Ferries, Condor Ferries, Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the Jersey Hospitality Association (JHA), said in a statement that the "prolonged impasse" on awarding the contract was "detrimental" to tourism.

Christophe Mathieu, chief executive of Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries, said tourists would "go elsewhere".

Deputy Kirsten Morel, the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, said the government were making an "extremely important and complex commercial decision, and we need to get it right".

He said: "We recognise the importance of this decision to all islanders, and we’re committed to securing a reliable and resilient ferry service for the next decade and beyond.

"Detailed consideration is being given to the submitted bids and we will be making an announcement very soon."

Condor Ferries' current operating agreements with Jersey and Guernsey end on 27 March 2025, with the successful bidder expected to run the services for 15 years. The Jersey and Guernsey governments have been approached for comment.

'Very unsettling time'

It is understood the three companies which have bid for the contract are Condor, Danish shipping company DFDS and Irish Ferries.

The ferry firms and business groups said the bidding process, which began in May, was now nearly a month behind schedule.

Bidders were originally informed that the contract would be awarded by the end of September at the latest, they said in a statement.

Mr Mathieu said those working in the local tourism industry, along with ferry staff and crews, were "enduring a very unsettling time with understandable concerns around their future".

He said there had been no booking for the Channel Islands services in 2025, "a direct consequence of delays and uncertainty in the tender process".

"We worry that those considering a holiday in these beautiful destinations will simply go elsewhere," he said.

Marcus Calvani, from the JHA, said members were worried for their future bookings

Marcus Calvani, from the JHA, said the delayed announcement was a concern.

"Confidence is what is critical for our industry right now, it's already an incredibly challenging trading time for the hospitality industry on our island," he said.

"It's extremely hard to be focusing on growth in our industry when we've got such uncertainty with the transportation links with our boats service."

Mr Calvani said JHA members were worried for their future bookings.

"They've seen a downturn in their bookings and I think it's not a great time for us to be delaying this process any further," he said.

Guernsey's Chamber of Commerce said it recognised making "significant decisions affecting our community takes time" but the "overdue decision" was "now impacting business operations".

"A timely resolution is crucial, as local businesses need clarity to make informed plans and investments for the upcoming year," it said.

"We urge all relevant parties to prioritise this matter, ensuring that our business community can move forward with confidence and stability in planning for the future."

'Closed for business'

Hannah Beacom from Guernsey's Tourism Management Board said it seemed to be "delay upon delay" regarding the announcement.

She said: "It's really impacting us at the moment because obviously there's no timetables published for next season, that means no one can book if they want to come here by ferry.

"It effectively means currently we're closed for business."

Ms Beacom said it was "extremely frustrating".

"We have agents that want to book, we have clients that want to book. We'd love to see an announcement much sooner rather than later," she said.