CHANNEL ISLANDS BREXIT BREAK BOOST

Scotland it seems will be playing significant role in boosting Brexit break holidays for the Channel Islands.

Guernsey is reporting healthy upturn in bookings and with Jersey also saying it is a strong position for a UK ‘Staycation’ option.

And so where does Scotland fit in?

Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair’s Managing Director.

The introduction of two new direct passenger air routes to the Channel Islands by the Scottish based airline Loganair who’s planes will be flying in from both Edinburgh and Bournemouth in 2019.

Like busses coming along in two’s and three’s, yet another airline, Blue Islands are also opening up direct additional routes from, Liverpool and Southend.

Brexit break Guernsey Airport.

One of Guernsey’s most popular destinations the former home of French writer Victor Hugo

Mike Hopkins, director of marketing and tourism at VisitGuernsey, says: “We’re delighted that our tour operator partners are reporting strong forward bookings to Guernsey for 2019, particularly with the current uncertainty that pervades the travel industry around Brexit.

“Four new air routes will launch from the UK to Guernsey this year which bring the number of UK regional airports with direct flights to Guernsey to 15. We have been working hard to develop new and existing routes to the island and these new air links will make a holiday to Guernsey even easier from all parts of the UK.

Jersey and the staycation pound in your pocket a hedge for any Brexit Break.

On the other main island Keith Beecham, chief executive of Visit Jersey, said in an interview to the Jersey Post newspaper: “That if sterling were to ‘suffer significantly’, the Island would be in a strong position to capitalise and market itself as a ‘staycation-destination’.

“If there was a hard Brexit, we would make it plain in our marketing that Jersey is a sterling-based holiday destination where your pound will go as far as it would in Cornwall, Devon or anywhere else in the UK.

A Brexit break in St Helier Jersey with both a French and British influence.

“Additionally we would actively remind people in the EU of the value for money Jersey offers, while marketing the Island as a great place to visit – regardless of Brexit – all year round.

“But assuming the impact of Brexit doesn’t have a huge up or downside, I would anticipate around a two per cent increase in visitor numbers and a five per cent increase in spend next year.”

BREXIT BREAK ON JERSEY AND GUERNSEY ?

Back on Guernsey Mike Hopkins said: “The general consensus from our tour operators is that, while the country is pre-occupied with Brexit and a fear factor exists in relation to booking ahead for the summer, we can turn this into a positive for Guernsey.

Both islands have their own currency and linked to the UK pound so perfect for a Brexit break.

It’s more important than ever to remind travellers that Guernsey is part of the British Isles so a passport is not required when travelling from the UK, and we use the British Pound sterling, so there are no worries regarding currency fluctuations.

There may also be some confusion as to what the status of aviation will be between the UK and the EU post-Brexit. However, we know that this will have no impact on flights to Guernsey, and so Guernsey is a destination that can be confidently booked and will not be implicated by any Brexit outcome”.

Tartan tail of a Loganair plane will be seen much more frequently in 2019 on the Channel Islands.

Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair’s Managing Director, said: “Our two new routes to Jersey and Guernsey will make travel to these popular leisure and corporate destinations more convenient for passengers within Bournemouth Airport’s large catchment area.

“This will be our first commercial presence at Bournemouth Airport and we look forward to our ‘Tartan tails’ being a regular sight over the South Coast.”Last year the carrier rebranded, with tartan tails for its aircraft and traditional tartan uniforms for cabin crew and ground staff.

GUERNSEY WILL HAVE 15 DIRECT UK LINKS

Jonathan added: “The new routes build on the success of our Guernsey operation from Glasgow and Jersey from Norwich this year, which will repeat for Summer 2019, along with Edinburgh to Guernsey and Bournemouth to both Jersey and Guernsey.”

The charm of Guernsey the Little Chapel in Les Vauxbelets.

Awarded Airline of the Year 2018, Loganair has a range of fares, which all include 20kg of hold luggage, 6kg of hand luggage, assigned seats and complimentary drink and snack. There are child discounts. Lead-in fares are £46.99 one-way for the Jersey and Guernsey routes to and from Bournemouth Airport.

Shopping in St Peter Port Guernsey with your pounds and a reduction in tax too!

Deputy Dawn Tindall, member of the States of Guernsey’s Committee for Economic Development, said: “The announcement by Loganair that they will commence a new seasonal service to Guernsey from Bournemouth next year is excellent news.
“It is the second new service announced by Loganair since the commencement of the ‘Open Skies’ policy in September this year and illustrates their confidence in the market opportunities offered by Guernsey.
“VisitGuernsey will be working closely with Loganair to support the marketing effort to raise awareness of the new route, and we look forward to welcoming many visitors from the Scottish and Bournemouth regions in the coming season.”

Founded in 1962 as Scotland’s airline, Loganair serves more than 40 routes across the UK, Republic of Ireland and Norway. Night mail flights for the Royal Mail are also provided.
Loganair is famous for the world’s shortest scheduled flight – two minutes’ block time – between Westray and Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands.