Flagging Jersey tourism industry given a £500,000 boost

MORE than £500,000 of taxpayers’ money is to be injected into the struggling tourism industry to boost plummeting visitor numbers.
The cash will fund a major advertising campaign to target recession-hit UK residents to persuade them to book their summer holiday here. The move was announced by Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean at a Jersey Chamber of Commerce lunch yesterday – as Jersey Tourism revealed that air arrivals were down by 14 per cent in the first two months of 2009 compared with the same period last year. The fall in arrivals was described as ‘very concerning’ by the president of the Jersey Hospitality Association, Robert Jones.
Most of the cash will be spent on a new TV advertising campaign to run over the next two months. Mr Jones said that he hoped more money would be released to target the French market. ‘Jersey is 25 per cent cheaper now for European visitors than it was this time last year,’ he said.
In the UK campaign, 492 roadside posters will be displayed in the south and south-west of England as well as in the Midlands and Wales. Advertisements will also be published in national newspapers. (from thisisjersey)

Will it help... I don't think so..

Too little - too late!!!!

Well at least Jersey is admitting there is a problem and doing something about it, our lot in Guernsey will probable wait till next year to realise theres was a problem.

too little too late as karma has said.our beloved guernsey is an expensive place to come on holiday these days and what is here to lure them.very little vat free shopping (as in they can buy the same goods in the uk for the same price or even cheaper).very little difference cost wise on ciggies or booze.yes our petrol is still cheaper for now.we are still pumping our crap out to sea.yes we have some beautiful scenery and beaches,the people are friendly ,and we have some glorious cliff walks.what else is there for families with young children to do.no more strawberry farm,no more guernsey woodcarvers.its sad to say but tourism is way down on the list of our governments priorities .

I suspect that the States know that we do not have a tourist industry anymore and are content to play homage to the finance industry and hope that they will keep the island economy going. Hmmm...... zero/10, lets bury our heads in the sand and hope that it doesn't affect us!!!!