From Bob Henkhuzens, chairman, tourism committee of Jersey Chamber of Commerce.
AS expressed by recent writers to your letters page, it was not happy news that even more hotels in the Island are now to close. Particularly saddening are the recent sentiments quoted in your paper: ‘The hotel was something we intended to pass on to our children, but with the demise of the tourism industry, we had to consider what was more valuable for the site …’

The attributes of our up-market four- and five-star establishments must be welcomed, but it is also sad that it is up to the Jersey Hospitality Association’s chief executive to offer the important reminder that Jersey’s mid-market hotels should not be forgotten. He rightly points out that these establishments offer a substantial proportion of our available accommodation. Not only will these properties be contributing in the future to GST revenues, but many are also owned by Jersey residents who will also contribute further by way of paying Jersey tax.

It was also disappointing to hear some hoteliers offering their view that Jersey’s government has not supported tourism enough. Blaming those working hard in the Tourism department certainly will not help, nor would it be fair to do so. Responsibility in this regard can only lie at the top.

Against the backdrop of the depressing 2008 tourism numbers and noting the challenges ahead for 2009, the good news is hopefully that our newly appointed Economic Development Minister is offering early signs of being a true and helpful champion of the Island’s tourism industry. The recent clear statement from the minister that he is ‘committed to supporting the industry’ is certainly a start, and offers the encouragement that, working together, we might finally see a boom in our tourism rather than its demise. We can, and should, do better.
Marsh Cottage,
Route du Marais,
St Ouen.