Tourism Development Fund update

Last year, the Economic Development Committee allocated £150,000 to be used as a one-off Tourism Development Fund, presenting an opportunity for groups and individuals to apply for funding for relevant projects that may not be able to go ahead without a little financial help.  

Various groups and organisations who submitted applications to the Tourism Management Board have now been awarded funding. All projects align with the Board’s goals; to improve and enhance the visitor experience and attract additional visitors to enjoy and make the most of our islands, celebrating our rich heritage, culture, food and sporting communities. 

‘In total, we received 20 applications for the Tourism Development Fund, totalling requests for more than half a million pounds. It was encouraging to see that there is so much interest in the tourism sector. There were many good ideas and we were heartened by the range and quality of applications which we hoping we can offer support to in other ways.'

Chair of the Tourism Management Board, Hannah Beacom.

There is one further grant that has been awarded, the finalising of the details of which are ongoing, but we hope to share this one with you in due course as well.

Successful recipients are as follows:

Festung Guernsey

Festung, a volunteer group dedicated to restoring our WW2 history, have been awarded funds for two key projects – to complete the second phase of the refurbishment of the German defences at Fort Hommet Headland and also upgrade the group’s website.

The Fort Hommet project aligns with one of the key themes for marketing the island in 2024, our heritage.  It capitalises on the 80^th anniversary of the D-Day landings in 2024, and the subsequent anniversary of our Liberation in 2025. Festung’s work includes excavation work of the MG Tobruk and affiliated bunkers as well as power cables and interpretation boards. 

The islands are very lucky to have such a dedicated group of volunteers working to preserve our history and the Tourism Management Board felt this was an excellent opportunity to support that.  

DanceSport Association

Supporting a three-day British Isles DanceSport Championships targeting grassroots and professional competitors from across the British Isles, this event has the potential of attracting up to an estimated 1,000 visitors and is an opportunity for Guernsey to shine in the dance arena as a professional event destination. 

Alongside attracting visitors to come and compete and to support, the intention is that the event will also stimulate engagement from local dance schools and community groups, with the aim of appealing to a wide range of demographics. 

Local produce trademark - the Guernsey mark

Funds have been awarded to support a campaign to encourage local restaurants, cafes, kiosks and visitor accommodation to stock, use and promote local produce. Primarily this involves the rolling out of an ‘eat and produce local’ concept, with an associated brand that highlights when local produce is both being used on menus and sold.  

As well as supporting the importance of food provenance and promoting sustainability, making the most of the food that we make, grow and rear here in the Islands, research shows that sampling our local food and our sustainability has real appeal to potential visitors. Its hoped that the success of such a scheme will encourage more local growers, bakers, picklers, jam makers and foragers and give them an outlet for their passion for local food. 

The Graniteman Weekender

An extension of the existing Guernsey Graniteman event, this funding will support new activities over the proposed three-day summer weekend programme including a centrepiece triathlon event and additional activities for children including a fun run and splash’n’dash. The aim being to make this event something people will travel to compete in but also viable to bring along members of their family.  No longer will this be an event in the realm of the lone competitor but somewhere to bring along the family, making this a sporting event to travel to and enjoy a holiday while you’re here. Capitalising on the growing trend for outside sports following the pandemic, Guernsey makes a perfect, and picturesque, venue for cycling, swimming and running.  

Boatlife Angling

Guernsey will be stage host for Rounds 7 and 8 of the Boatlife Angling Championship (BAC). This International event, sponsored by world leading brands presents us with a significant opportunity and exposure to highlight Guernsey as an angling destination and tap into a significant market in recreational sport. Not only will it raise awareness via significant off-island exposure and coverage, but it will also encourage keen anglers to choose Guernsey as a holiday destination. The intention is to subsequently promote a shore angling event and the TMB welcomes any local enthusiasts who may want to submit ideas for the promotion of an event to appeal to off-island sea anglers.   

Floral Guernsey

Blooms by the Shore is just one of the projects that Floral Guernsey have planned for 2024. As with much of the work that this team of volunteers undertake for the benefit of the community, this will enhance the overall experience of visiting the islands, in particular our much-loved coastal kiosks. Funding for the team also comes from the annual Events and Activities funding and, together, these provide a contribution to Legacy, Parish and wider Island and Foundation Projects.

Twinning Association

A contribution has been made to support the St Saviours/Monteborg Twinning Association stall at La Foire de la Chandeleur. This allows representatives from Guernsey to advertise the Islands as a tourist destination in our neighbouring France and further cement a relationship between us. By promoting and encouraging touristic, social and economic exchange between the two communities its hoped that we can encourage our Monteborg ‘twins’ to visit us here in Guernsey.   

Street Festival bunting

Every little helps and the Tourism Management Board recognises the significant value-added experience that the St Peter Port Street Festival gives to our visitors.