Guernsey’s government has launched a summer staycation campaign to help the Bailiwick’s tourism industry.
The campaign, called Summer Starts Here, aims to encourage people to use the islands’ accommodation and hospitality services and get involved in its leisure activities. Central to the campaign is an online hub, the Bailiwick Staycation Club, which offers information on where to stay, what to see, do and eat, plus special offers.
‘We know many islanders will have had holiday plans this year that can’t go ahead because of the coronavirus crisis, which has impacted not just travel off-island, but also the global aviation industry and virtually every part of international travel,” said tourism lead for the Committee for Economic Development, Deputy Joe Mooney.
‘Similarly, our local tourism sector has been hit hard by the crisis and lost a lot of business with their customers unable to get here. But we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, somewhere hundreds of thousands come to holiday every year and this is an opportunity to make the most of what we have right on our doorstep.’
Deputy Charles Parkinson, Guernsey’s President of the Committee for Economic Development, said he had been humbled by the community spirit shown by islanders during the pandemic.
‘Beating the virus and “flattening the curve” is at the heart of it, but there is much more we can and must do as a community in the spirit of “Guernsey Together,”’ he said.
‘Our hoteliers, restaurateurs and tour guides have had a difficult start to the year and deserve our support, and we all deserve a break too because we’ve come so far and achieved so much in these past few months. Supporting the staycation campaign is a way we can do something both for local businesses and for ourselves. And we can do it by having a seriously good time.’
