Guernsey tourism plan wants 30% increase in visitors

The States wants to attract 400,000 visitors to Guernsey by 2025

Guernsey's tourism plan wants to increase visitors to the island by 30% over the next decade.

The Commerce and Employment Department said more competitive travel fares and better quality events would help reach its target of 400,000 visitors by 2025.

The strategy said the tourism sector is worth £108m to the Bailiwick's economy and accounts for 5% of the GDP.

It found that last year there was an "accelerated decline" in business visitors which was a "concern".

Mike Hopkins, director of tourism, said: "Work to secure current and develop new strategic routes to the island is a top priority along with developing the islands product offering."

The report revealed 309,000 people visited the island last year with about 70% of those coming from the UK.

Surveys showed the main reasons people were put off coming to Guernsey were because it was either "too expensive" or because there was "not much to do there".

Main points of tourism strategy

• Nearly 90% of visitors to Guernsey are from the UK, Jersey and France

• The Tourism sector is worth an estimated £10.8.8m to Guernsey's economy

• In 2014 there was an "accelerated decline" in business visitors

• Commerce and Employment plans to increase visitors from 309,000 to 400,000 by 2025

The strategy aims to focus on stronger route connections to the island from the north of England and Europe.

Glamping, more family orientated attractions and wedding offerings are suggested as ways to boost tourism.

The report said Guernsey's competitors were "out-gunning" them on TV advertisement by spending £1.2m and £5m compared to £250,000 spent by the States.

Commerce and employment minister Kevin Stewart said: "Developing an environment for growth and investment is key, as is making policy and legislation more tourism industry friendly."