In this Guide
Periodically, new tourism-related legislation or information arises, which is either useful or extremely important for accommodation providers.
This section of the page is designed to share this information, and help you deal with new developments and emergencies as they arise. It can also be shaped by you – so please get in touch with any topics you would like covered, whether it’s advice on dealing with an outbreak of a contagious illness or managing consumer feedback on sites like Trip Advisor.
For more information on anything on this page, please contact qualitydevelopment@gov.gg.
The Development & Planning Authority has agreed an extension to the period enabling long-stay, qualified residents to be accommodated in visitor accommodation without the requirement for a change of use application to be submitted.
These Regulations extend the date for the ending of the period during which a temporary change of use of premises can occur, from a visitor accommodation use to certain residential uses, without planning permission. Serviced and non-serviced visitor accommodation (class 7 and class 8) are both able to change use under the exemption, but only if they provide accommodation that could be used as a residential ‘dwelling’ (class 1) – in other words, a place someone could live on their own (for example, somewhere with kitchen and toilet facilities).
The date is extended to 28 February 2027.
As a result of the above change, the Regulations also extend the date on or by which the premises, the use of which has been changed temporarily in reliance on the exemption, must revert to its previous visitor accommodation use. The date is extended to 31 March 2027.
These Regulations came into force on 14 January 2026.
Please note that if you wish to accommodate long-stay residents under this exemption, you should inform qualitydevelopment@gov.gg and planning@gov.gg of your intention. If your property is currently classed as use Class 7 (serviced) or used Class 8 (non-serviced) you are required to hold a valid boarding permit throughout the entire period of the exemption (you will receive an invite to renew for 2026 and subsequently for 2027) and to respond to the monthly occupancy surveys.
We appreciate there may be some specific cases where it isn’t immediately clear if the change of use is permissible or not. In those instances, please contact us at qualitydevelopment@gov.gg or planning@gov.gg.
The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (PTRs) came into force in the UK on 1 July 2018 and apply to contracts made on or after that date. The PTRs implement the 2015 European Package Travel Directive (EU2015/2302) and apply to packages and linked travel arrangements sold in the UK, or advertised for sale in the UK, even if the organiser of the package or linked travel arrangement is not established in the UK. The full article, as well as official guidance, is available to download below.
Under the Prevention of Discrimination (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2022 (which came into force in October 2023), it is unlawful for businesses and employers to discriminate on the grounds of race, disability, carer status, religion or belief, and sexual orientation. This means people cannot be treated less favourably when they are accessing employment, goods, services or facilities, accommodation or clubs and associations if the reason for that treatment is related to one or more Protected Grounds.
Further information on the legislation can be found here.
The Employment and Equal Opportunities Service (EEOS) offers free and impartial advice to anyone in Guernsey, Herm or Jethou on matters relating to employment practices, employment legislation and the prevention of discrimination in the workplace or in the provision of goods and services.
If you offer a service to members of the public (regardless of whether you receive payment, or if you are a private business or a public service), your legal duties can be found in EEOS’ Quick Reference Guides. Post-complaint conciliation is also offered.
Guidance and further information can be found here.