Former government officials voice concerns over Jersey's dwindling tourism industry

  • ITV Channel reporter Emma Volney looks at the decline in tourists travelling to Jersey

Former government officials and hoteliers have voiced their concerns over the decline of Jersey's tourism industry.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the island was seen as a destination hotspot with a booming visitor economy.

"It's almost nonviable to think about investing in a revived tourism sector" - economist John Christensen Credit: ITV Channel

Economist John Christensen served as an advisor for Jersey's government and claims that the State prioritised funding to grow the financial industry which caused the tourism sector to drop off.

He explains: "In the mid to late 1980s and through the 1990s, tourism was still quite a significant contributing sector for the island, with over 24,000 bed spaces available and licensed.

"Even in the mid-1980s, I was saying to the politicians that the policy of growing the finance services as fast as they could by licensing so many banks would inevitably crowd out of the tourism sector."

The number of hotel beds in Jersey has dropped by more than two-thirds since the 1980s, with the latest figure standing at fewer than 10,000 spaces.

Accommodation beds in Jersey across the 21st century:

"When you look at how much money has Jersey really invested in tourism and infrastructure, we've got nothing" - former politician Ted Vibert Credit: ITV Channel

Former Jersey politician and Senator Ted Vibert says hotel owners are leaving an "unprofitable" tourism business, adding that government investment is desperately needed.

He explains: "The finance industry is such an easy industry to run but they've put all their eggs in one basket and totally neglected tourism.

"It has to have government investment and infrastructure, every place in the world wants the tourist industry and they're prepared to spend big money, we're just not in the race anymore.

"When you look at how much money has Jersey really invested in tourism and infrastructure, we've got nothing."

"People will decide there's no profitability in the business, take the money and run" - hotelier Geoff Mayger. Credit: ITV Channel

Geoff Mayger from the Marina Metro Hotel highlights another issue as he believes properties like his are "easy targets" for developers to turn into housing, decreasing bed spaces.

He adds: "This year, we're struggling even more and we're just seeing a gradual decline.

"Tourism is doing everything it can to fight back, but budgets are being cut and people have less money to invest.

"People will decide there's no profitability in the business, take the money and run."

Local organisations are attempting to attract more visitors to the island with Visit Jersey starting a new campaign to appeal to different age groups.

Jersey's Visitor Economy Strategy also aims to revitalise the tourism industry, stating the island's future vision is "to be a globally recognised, sustainable and enriching destination that islanders are proud to share".

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