Trade update - 09 July 2026

We're delighted to report that the VisitGuernsey website saw an increase in sessions during Q2 2026 compared with Q2 2025. This is particularly encouraging given the current digital landscape, where the rise of generative AI is driving traffic away from many websites as consumers increasingly access information directly through search engines. Despite this challenge, website sessions increased by 0.9% year-on-year and were 14.7% higher than in Q2 2024.

There were plenty of other highlights during the quarter. Our out-of-home advertising campaign reached almost 10 million people across London, our social media audience grew by more than 4,500 followers, and Guernsey secured valuable coverage in some of the UK's and France's most prominent publications.

You can view the full report here. 

The world’s leading travel trade show, ITB Berlin, takes place from 16–18 March 2027, and we’re delighted to be attending once again alongside Visit Jersey on a joint Channel Islands stand. 

This globally renowned event offers an opportunity to build valuable connections within the travel trade. Although hosted in Germany, ITB attracts industry professionals from across the world, making it an ideal platform to showcase your business on an international stage. 

By partnering with us, you’ll have the opportunity to bring one or two delegates, gain access to the official meeting scheduler, and attend an exclusive Visit Guernsey and Visit Jersey networking event during the show, bringing together a dynamic mix of journalists and tour operators. 

Stand space is limited, and we are inviting early expressions of interest from partners who would like to be part of this exciting opportunity. If you’re interested in joining us, please get in touch by emailing sam.claxton2@gov.gg

In early June, we welcomed influencer Tom Prout to the Islands, where he took part in the Saffery Rotary Walk while capturing engaging video content to promote both the event and the destination more broadly. 

Tom, founder of The Healing Hikers, is experienced in undertaking challenging long-distance walks while raising awareness of mental health, making him an ideal ambassador for the Rotary Walk and aligning perfectly with VisitGuernsey’s commitment to supporting the Rotary Club. 

As an added bonus, Tom was joined by his partner Oscar, who is also an influencer. Together, they created a wealth of content shared across Instagram and TikTok, reaching a combined audience of more than 350,000 followers.  

You can view a selection of Tom’s vibrant and inspiring content here. 

Representatives from Guernsey and Jersey joined delegates from France, Norway, Denmark, the UK, Flanders, Italy and Ireland in Caen last week for the official launch of the 'Millennium 2027: European Year of the Normans' programme. 

The event brought together more than 500 partners from across the Norman world for workshops, plenary sessions, networking forums and a first look at the interactive events map that will showcase activity taking place across participating territories throughout 2027. 

For Guernsey, the programme presents a significant opportunity to celebrate and promote our unique Norman heritage to international audiences. More than 80 events are planned across the Channel Islands, highlighting our shared history through culture, art, architecture, gastronomy, literature, language, walking experiences and much more. 

The launch has already demonstrated the value of cross-border collaboration, with new partnerships and opportunities emerging between destinations and organisations involved in the programme. 

We look forward to sharing further updates as plans develop. If you would like to be involved, please get in touch with jo.ferguson@gov.gg

One of Guernsey’s most popular summer events is set to return as Twilight Cinema comes back to the iconic Castle Cornet from 6–15 August, offering visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy films beneath the evening sky. 

Over 10 days, audiences can choose from 20 screenings, with a family-friendly film every day at 5pm followed by an evening screening for adults at 7pm. The programme features a mix of classics, cult favourites and family hits, including Madagascar, Aladdin, Ghostbusters, The Mummy, Bridesmaids and Clueless. 

Set on the castle’s top lawn, Twilight Cinema combines big-screen entertainment with spectacular views across St Peter Port. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic, blankets and warm clothing, creating a relaxed outdoor cinema experience in one of Guernsey’s most historic settings. 

Tickets are priced at £6 for children’s screenings and £7 for evening films and must be booked in advance via guernseytickets.gg.

We’ve been collaborating with our partners at Visit Alderney, Sark, and Herm to develop a series of walking and cycling routes on Komoot. 

Komoot is a leading platform for outdoor enthusiasts, with a community of over 50 million users and a strong leisure-focused audience.

We are currently curating two ‘collections’ within the app - one dedicated to walking and the other to cycling - each featuring 6–8 routes across the Islands. 

Once live, we will target audiences in Brittany, Normandy, and Paris, serving adverts to Komoot users in these regions to promote the Islands of Guernsey as a destination for exceptional outdoor experiences. 

We expect the collections to launch in the coming weeks and will confirm once they are live, so you can help promote the routes to customers with an interest in walking and cycling. 

Bristol-based travel agency Marco Polo Travel Advisory Service recently visited the Islands of Guernsey as part of a combined holiday and self-familiarisation trip.

The agency's interest in the destination was first sparked by a virtual training session delivered by VisitGuernsey last year. Following that introduction, the VisitGuernsey team was pleased to support the visit with several tailored experiences, including excursions to Sark and Hauteville House, helping to showcase the breadth of experiences available across the islands.

Reflecting on the trip, the owner of Marco Polo Travel said:

“We loved Guernsey and are happily promoting the destination with enthusiasm. There is so much to do across Guernsey and the islands – I only wish we had stayed longer. We already had a client planning a visit and have since recommended that Hauteville House is an absolute must-see, so that has now been added to their itinerary.”

The visit provided valuable first-hand insight into the islands' unique appeal, enabling the team to confidently share recommendations and inspire future visitors.

Take a look at some of the Facebook content captured during their visit here. 

This is a final reminder for all boarding permit holders to please ensure your permit is up to date. A valid boarding permit is a legal requirement before you can advertise or accept guests. 

If you could take a moment to check your permit’s expiry date, we’d really appreciate it. If it has expired or is due to expire soon, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. 

You can reach us at qualitydevelopment@gov.gg if you’d like to renew your permit or if you have any questions, we’re happy to help. 

Thank you very much for your cooperation.