Latest news with #HannahBeacom
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey visitor numbers increase in latest data
The number of visitors to Guernsey increased in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last from The Tourism Management Board (TMB) showed a total of 21,928 visitors came to the island, a 6% a survey by the Guernsey Hospitality Association (GHA) found 70% of respondents reported a drop in room occupancy in April compared to the same month last Beacom, chair of the TMB, said: "There is much to be optimistic about." 'Positive direction' She said: "It shows there is a lot that is moving in a positive direction, and we are confident that 2025 will be a profitable year for the industry." The TMB figures showed a 6% increase in the overall day trip market, and a 38% rise in business breakdown revealed 73% of visitors were from the UK, 14% from Jersey, 3% from France and 9% from elsewhere. Compared with the first quarter of 2024, the number of visitors from France more than doubled and there was a 9% increase in visitors from the UK, a 7% decrease in visitors from Jersey and a 15% decrease in visitors from elsewhere. 'Most valuable' The GHA said it surveyed its members to gauge occupancy levels from April to found 46% of respondents believed their occupancy levels would be lower than in 2024, 32% forecast they would be about the same, and 22% expected an increase.A statement from GHA said: "We appreciate that the staying visitor market isn't the total sum of the island's tourism business, and it's positive to see an increase in visitors from France, especially day-trippers, which definitely helps create a positive vibe in and around St Peter Port. "But it's the staying visitors that are the most valuable to our industry and the island's economy."
BBC News
17-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey tourism board 'broadly supportive' of visitor tax
The Tourism Management Board (TMB) has said it would "broadly support" proposals by the Policy & Resources Committee (P&R) to implement a tourism tax. Hannah Beacom, TMB chair, said she would be supportive as long as the funds went back into the tourism industry. She said: "Whether that be directly in product development and funding or whether it would be invested in sustainability or our surroundings and natural beauty." Guernsey States treasurer and chief resources officer on P&R, Bethan Haines said further revenue raising measures would be brought before the States in "due course". 'Fairly modest' Ms Beacom said she thought the tax "would need to be fairly modest so it doesn't impact on people's decision-making on whether they come here".TMB also raised concerns over the cost of collection outweighing the revenue generated by the levy. One suggestion Ms Beacom proposed was collecting the revenue from tourists using an app, but admitted she was not aware of how much the technology would cost. Another concern was the impact of the proposed goods and services tax (GST) alongside tourism tax. "When it was first suggested and we were first supportive of it, of course, it wasn't being suggested along with GST," said Ms a result, she questioned whether it would be "fair" to implement a tourism tax if people on the island were already contributing through GST.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Funding for events showcasing best of Guernsey
A range of 17 organisations and events are benefiting from a £123,000 package of grants from Guernsey's Tourism Management Board. The money is for activities designed to attract more visitors to the Bailiwick, including an international chess festival, a Liberation tour of military vehicles and La Beltane festival on Sark. The funds have been allocated by the Committee for Economic Development which considered 38 applications for events celebrating Guernsey's heritage, culture, food, and sporting communities. Hannah Beacom, TMB's chair, said: "We know our Bailiwick is beautiful and full of rich culture and heritage, and it is vital to support those projects which showcase the best it has to offer to visitors." Director of La Beltane festival Jolie Rose said the next edition was going to be "bigger and better" with an "amazing line-up planned and more fabulous activities throughout the day to enjoy. " The TMB has also given money to Guernsey Rally. Director Caren Vidamour said it "will be of great help to us ensuring the 2025 Guernsey Rally is a spectacular local event and enjoyed by its many supporters". The rally returns on 28 February and 1 March after last year's event was cancelled by the States which said it could not justify the administration involved. Other organisations receiving grants include the Art for Guernsey Renoir Walk, A Table in Guernsey Food Festival, the Guernsey Military Group – 2025 Liberation Tour and St James Events – Global Collection Festival. There is also money for sporting events including Tornado Fitness Racing Series and the men's and women's Twenty20 international teams. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to States should fund arts like Jersey, says deputy Traditional Sark festival returns for third year Guernsey saw 55% drop in cruise visitors last year Visit Guernsey
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Guernsey saw 55% drop in cruise visitors last year
There was a 55% drop in cruise passengers to Guernsey in 2024, according to the Tourism Management Board (TMB). The island expected 77 cruise ships to visit last year but 24 cancelled, blaming poor weather. There was an "encouraging" 2% increase in staying visitors during the year, and the TMB said it was working hard to "put Guernsey back on the cruise map". A total of 274,676 tourists contributed an estimated £141m to the economy and most of this came from people staying at least one night, rather than visiting on a day trip, according to the Guernsey Travel and Visitor Annual Report. The overall increase in visitors is estimated to have resulted in an additional £2-3m being brought into the local economy, compared with 2023. Most people arrived by plane, with ferry trips taking second place, according to TMB. Hannah Beacom, the TMB chair, said the increase in staying visitors is "encouraging" and the report showed "strong successes in some areas, and weaker performance in other areas". She said: "While the cruise sector had a challenging year, it is important to remember that our overall visitor performance is now improving year on year. "The number of staying visitors - the group which contribute by far the most to the economy - has continued to grow, and while that growth is only by 2%, it is still encouraging in a challenging global climate." Overall there was an 8% fall in the total number of visitors including those from cruise ships and yachts in 2024 compared to 2020, - and a 25% drop compared to 2019, before the Covid pandemic. A total of 38,456 visitors arrived by cruise ship on 2024, down on the 85,541 the previous year. "This is an area we are working hard on, and I am confident that the steps we are taking will pay off and see growth in this area as well in the coming years," Ms Beacom said. She said the TMB is working with Visit Guernsey and the Cruise Steering Group and added: "Some of the changes starting this year will have a significant impact, such as the alongside berthing that will be starting for some ships at the harbour." Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to 'Exceptionally bad year' for cruise ships in 2024 Tourism boss wants to attract off-peak visitors Guernsey government reveals spike in tourism in 2023 Tourism Management Board Visit Guernsey
