From Robert Jones, president, Jersey Hospitality Association.
IN response to the letter from John Dix (JEP, 17 September) under the headline ‘How to pay for the Air Display’, I feel I should set the record straight about the involvement and contribution of the Jersey Hospitality Association and its members to Jersey’s landmark events.

Referring to the International Air Display and recent media reports suggesting that next year’s event is in jeopardy, John Dix suggests that it is time for ‘the beneficiaries of the event – the airlines, ferry companies, hotels, restaurants, pubs and shops, whose income depends on the event, to contribute to its cost’.

He further suggests a voluntary levy of £2 per seat on each flight and ferry during the week, £10 per bed in hotels, £5 per cover in all restaurants and £100 per licensed establishment, to be collected by the JHA.

For many years the JHA has actively supported both the Air Display and Battle of Flowers through a voluntary levy scheme, and contributions are received from virtually 100 per cent of our 350 members. The levies are linked to JHA membership subscriptions and are approved by the membership at our AGM.

We would all agree with John Dix that both these festivals warrant our financial support, as they are considered to be extremely valuable to the Jersey tourism product overall. This is reflected in the £10,000 raised by our members annually, and a further £2,000 being made available directly through the JHA for these events.

In addition to the Air Display and Battle of Flowers, we actively support a number of other local festivals and events, such as the Seaside Festival and the Tour Operators’ Workshop, with a further direct contribution of £7,000.

The JHA has already agreed to financially support all events again next year, subject to the production of a business and financial plan from the organisers of these events, to ensure that correct checks and balances are in place on behalf of our members. It should also be noted that many of our members support these events on an individual basis, on top of their membership contribution.

Overall, we would encourage other businesses to make donations and would be more than happy to continue to manage this process on behalf of our sector.
22 Hill Street,
St Helier.