Guernsey Ports is launching a refreshed brand called Guernsey Marinas, marking an exciting new chapter for marine leisure.
The Guernsey Marinas brand is part of Guernsey Ports, using existing staff and resources. Its focus will be on promoting and growing the leisure marine sector and increasing revenue through marine tourism.
The new brand reflects a commitment to creating exceptional marine leisure experiences, services and infrastructure for the local community, visiting yachts, superyachts and regattas.
In 2024, around 20,000 people visited Guernsey by private vessel, an increase of 11% on the previous year.
“We are already a marina of choice for dozens of prestigious sailing races and regattas, who come to explore our exciting cruising grounds and vibrant waterfront,” said Mr Higgs. “And we are charting a course towards becoming a premier marine destination for all vessels.
“This will be achieved over time through sustained investment in our facilities and a commitment to excellent customer service working in partnership with the blue economy across Guernsey.”
Guernsey Ports completed a £300k pontoon upgrade in the Victoria Marina last winter and invested £1.3m in replacing and reconfiguring pontoons in the QE2 Marina over the last 12 months. Other refurbishment projects have included the redecking of older wooden pontoons in the Albert Marina and the replacement of the main Fish Quay pontoon.
In total, more than £20 million of investment has been identified across the marinas within the next 10 years to help address and maximise the operational use of ageing infrastructure.
A new Guernsey Marinas website is under development and social media accounts have been set up across Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn using the new ‘Guernsey Marinas’ branding to help grow the online community and create positive interactions across the marine leisure industry.
The new Guernsey Marinas brand was launched to the French market at the inaugural St Malo Boat Show over the weekend.
Mr Higgs continued: “Our attendance at the first-ever St Malo Boat Show was a fantastic opportunity to promote our island and further strengthen our relations with Normandy & Brittany marinas. It was insightful to discuss industry trends, reciprocal incentives that can benefit our local mooring holders, and consider solutions to common challenges.
“We also had the opportunity to re-connect with lots of regular visitors to Guernsey and showcase the beauty of our island to the thousands in attendance.”
Another initiative which has increased visibility of the island across Europe is Guernsey Ports’ enrolment in a reciprocal leisure boating programme – Passeport Escales – last summer.
Guernsey Ports mooring holders can register for membership of Passeport Escales at the Marine Services Centre for a one-off fee of £35. This qualifies mooring holders for up to 10 free nights per season, with over 100 marinas to choose from across selected UK, France and other European destinations.
Mr Higgs said the new arrangement is providing greater value to mooring holders, while also promoting the island to a wide audience and attracting new visitors to Guernsey.
“The main driver behind our enrolment in Passeport Escales was to provide our mooring holders with increased value by offsetting travel to a superb range of marinas, giving them more reasons and opportunities to use their boats,” said Mr Higgs.
“In return, as it’s a reciprocal agreement, Guernsey Ports is now promoted across a vast network of participating marinas and regions. This has helped to put Guernsey on the map and promote our excellent cruising grounds to a whole new audience.
“In the short time we have been a member, we have welcomed a number of first-time leisure visitors from Europe, who have gone on to stay longer than their initial two free nights, while it has also prompted previous visitors to return to our waters again.”
