Guernsey Harbours will be at the UK’s biggest boat show in Southampton this month to promote what the Bailiwick has to offer to the UK and global marine sectors for 2019.
Guernsey and Alderney will be joining Jersey, the Normandy and Brittany regional governments in France, at a joint stand at the event.
January to July 2018 visiting boat figures show 10,612 nights were spent by visiting boat owners and their passengers in the Victoria marina, compared to 9575 nights in same period in 2017, a 10.8% increase.
Guernsey’s Harbourmaster Captain David Barker said:
“I’m delighted that Guernsey Harbours will be at the Southampton Boat Show in 2018 and plan to give the event my personal support during the week. Our coastline and surrounding waters are a tremendous asset and it is important that we take this opportunity to show offwhat the Bailiwick’s marine sector has to offer. The show is the UK’s biggest maritimeshowcase and gives us the chance to attract new and repeat visitors. At the same time, we can share best practice with other ports and leisure destinations and see first-hand what our competitors have to offer. I’m proud of Guernsey Harbours staff who’ve been working veryhard behind the scenes to make sure we present the Bailiwick in the best possible light.”
The General Manager of Ports Colin Le Ray said:
“By Guernsey Harbours joining up with their colleagues in Jersey and the Normandy and Brittany regional governments in France, we can highlight to a wider audience the superb marine environment the Bailiwick has to offer. It is important that we use events like the boat show to better understand market trends, new developments, and to meet global marine sector stakeholders. It’s also a great chance to promote what the islands have to offer to visiting marine traffic of all shapes and sizes.
“I’m encouraged to see our January to July visiting boat figures and revenue has gone up in 2018, compared to same period in 2017. The hard work of our staff is really paying off, and we want to use this year’s Southampton Boat Show as a platform for growth in 2019.”
Marina Services Officer for Guernsey Harbours Linden Galsworthy said:
“The Southampton Boat Show is a fantastic chance to show off what the Bailiwick has to offer for visiting boat owners and those looking to get into boating. The Bay of St Malo area offers a rich and diverse range of ports for people to choose from, and the Bailiwickbenefit’s economically and socially as result. The event is a great opportunity and a prudent investment to meet key industry stakeholders and members of the public who are deciding where and when to visit on their vessels in 2019.”
The boat show is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2018. The event will feature a number of marine manufacturers launching new boat models, to destinations looking to boost visiting traffic.
Boat show organisers estimate around 106,000 visitors from across the British Isles and around the world will visit the event in Southampton, which started at the weekend.
