Trade update - 18 June 2026

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2 days ago

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There’s been plenty of positive activity across the visitor economy in recent weeks, from improved connectivity and new visitor experiences to targeted trade engagement and initiatives designed to better support our growing French market.

In this edition:

Heathrow route sees new visitors coming to Guernsey
States supports Islands Unlimited to support with inter-island travel
The Guernsey Cliffline Project launches, encouraging people to get out and about
La Grande Mare gold course set to open on 01 August
Premium tour operator Backroads Touring visits Guernsey for familiarisation trip
Local restaurants translate menus into French - could you do the same?
We've launched a new St Peter Port guide to support French visitors

7,633 passengers travelled using the Heathrow route in May, taking the total to 9,675 passengers since the launch of the service in April. These numbers are highly encouraging following high-profile, collaborative marketing campaigns with British Airways and Heathrow Airport.

Data taken throughout the month of May from surveying passengers in Guernsey Airport’s departure lounge suggests that 64% of departing passengers via Heathrow were visitors rather than residents with 55% of those visitors (35% of all BA passengers) being new to the island.

The Committee for Economic Development has agreed to provide a £75,000 grant to Islands Unlimited, with the aim of supporting inter-island travel this summer season.

The funding is targeted as support for the company's marketing spend, which in turn is expected to increase passenger growth from both Guernsey and Jersey as well as bring additional visitors to the Channel Islands.

A new project encouraging visitors and Islanders to get out and about on the south coast has launched.

The Health Improvement Commission is behind the Guernsey Cliffline Project, which aims to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy Guernsey’s south coast cliffs - and all the wellbeing benefits that being active and outdoors offer.

We’re delighted to share the latest milestone in the multi-million-pound transformation of La Grande Mare Hotel & Golf Resort: the opening of its new 18-hole golf course.

The course will welcome its first players on Saturday 1 August, with tee times available to book online from Monday 22 June. Operating on a ‘pay and play’ basis, the course is open to all - from newcomers to seasoned golfers - with no membership required.

Golfers can look forward to an enhanced playing experience in a distinctive coastal setting, alongside an extended course layout. The redevelopment has increased both the total yardage and the par, rising from 64 to 69, offering a more rewarding challenge for players of all levels.

Looking ahead, the next phase of development will see the opening of a new country club, planned for September 2027. VisitGuernsey has developed a strong partnership with the La Grande Mare team and is working collaboratively on future initiatives, including hosting golf media to showcase Guernsey as a premier golfing destination.

Backroads Touring recently returned to Guernsey on a dedicated familiarisation visit, designed to refresh and deepen their knowledge of the island’s distinctive experiences, landscapes and hospitality offering. The trip enabled the team to revisit key sites, discover new product developments and strengthen relationships with local partners, ensuring their itineraries remain both current and compelling.

As a leading operator in premium small-group travel, Backroads Touring continues to play an important role in showcasing Guernsey to high-value international visitors. Their programmes place a strong emphasis on immersive, authentic experiences - from coastal walking routes and heritage sites to local food and culture - aligning closely with the island’s tourism offering.

With continued growth in French visitor numbers, it’s encouraging to see local businesses enhancing their accessibility for this key market.

JB Parkers and Hook have recently introduced a French version of their à la carte menu, making it easier for French-speaking guests to engage with and enjoy their offering.

As we continue to increase marketing activity in France - aligned with the Brittany Ferries service - we encourage businesses across the sector to consider how they might adapt their own products and services.

Providing information in French is a simple but effective way to improve the visitor experience and better cater to this important audience.

We are also doing our own bit to support the experience of our growing number of French visitors, by developing a dedicated French-language guide to St Peter Port. This printed guide is now available via the Visitor Information Centre (VIC), providing an accessible and welcoming introduction to the town, its key attractions, and things to see and do.

Recognising the importance of offering flexible, sustainable options, we’ve also introduced a digital version of the guide. Visitors who prefer not to take a printed copy can simply scan a QR code displayed on a poster within the VIC to access the guide on their own device. This ensures that French-speaking visitors can easily access helpful information in a format that suits them, enhancing their overall experience during their stay.

By taking simple steps such as these, we can collectively create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for our French guests, supporting both visitor satisfaction and the wider tourism economy.

View the guide here