Condor is planning for a positive summer for the Channel Islands’ visitor economy once quarantine restrictions are eased.
The company is optimistic that travel will recover in the summer 2021 as Covid-19 vaccination programmes are stepped up. It believes the Channel Islands are set to benefit from the current sentiment that Britons will take holidays in and close to the UK rather than longer haul travel, along with pent-up demand from consumers who have been unable to travel up to now due to the pandemic.
Paul Luxon, Condor’s CEO, said that there were encouraging signs despite the difficulties experienced in travel and hospitality over the last year and more recently too.
“Everyone knows that the past few months have been challenging but we are encouraged looking ahead as holidaymakers clearly want to travel and make up for lost time but also to visit destinations closer to home.
“Both Guernsey and Jersey have handled the pandemic well and are viewed positively from outside the islands so we see this as a genuine opportunity, for instance, if Covid-19 vaccine permits or passports are allowed which then facilitates quarantine free travel”.
Condor is to work in collaboration with Visit Guernsey and Visit Jersey, along with the local hospitality industry and associations on plans to revitalise the visitor economy using traditional and online marketing. Internet interest in ferry travel is significantly up on previous years because of people’s desire to use their own car, book a cabin or benefit from the wider space in preference to the more perceived, claustrophobic travel by air.
Paul added: “Sea travel is recognised as a safe and convenient way of getting around during the pandemic and another potential benefit for the Islands is the uncertainty regarding overseas travel post-Brexit, so we want to take advantage of UK consumers looking for a hassle-free holiday or break but not venturing too far. The Channel Islands are safe, clean, fresh, natural holiday destinations so a great place to escape to this year”.