Guernsey top spot for cruise ships in the British Isles

More than 60 cruise ships are expected to anchor off Guernsey this year

Guernsey is the number one port of call in the British Isles for day visits by cruise ships, according to research compiled by the island's government.

The Commerce and Employment Department has been criticised recently for not doing enough to let visiting passengers know what the island has to offer.

Peter Falla from VisitGuernsey said the department and Information Centre offer a valuable service to cruise liners.

He added "we can always do better" and a review would be held in the autumn.

VisitGuernsey is responsible for telling visitors what is on offer once they are in the island and Mr Falla said many islanders were "simply not aware of just how much information is made available".

The Commerce and Employment Department is responsible for persuading ships to visit the island and tempting passengers to come ashore.

Jason Moriarty, its trade and media relations Manager, said: "There are a range of things that we do during the course of the year."

He said besides advertising through trade manuals and mail-outs, Guernsey was represented at the main trade expo for cruise liners.

Mr Moriarty said: "I sit on the Cruise Britain marketing board and we work with them to showcase Guernsey in terms of the individual aspects of what's special about us and what we can do compared to other ports of call."

More than 60 cruise ships are due to visit Guernsey this year.