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Tourism
A difficult period -
Tourism is facing a very difficult period and the commercial downturn is bound to affect business in the town. The number of Tourism beds has fallen sharply due to changing market conditions and many hotel sites have now been lost to housing developments. Taxpayers' money has a role to play in marketing Jersey as a tourist destination and additionally in reducing the cost of landing fees levied at the Airport.
Event-led Tourism
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I have been fortunate to have spent over two years as a committee member on the Tourism Development Fund, which has backed a variety of tourism orientated projects. Like my TDF colleagues, I favour event led Tourism, but one cannot expect miracles. For example, the recent Jersey Live concert attracted nearly eight thousand people, but any Tourism subsidy would have to measured against the clear value of the 750 tickets sold to people outside the Island, who travelled here for the weekend, plus the hard to quantify PR and Marketing opportunities that were associated with the show.
Fortifications Committee -
By contrast, the work I have encouraged via TDF and the Fortifications Committee is founded on the solid ground of some of Jersey's most well known landmarks. Following the injection of "pump priming" cash and with support from Environment, Planning and Public Services, locals and holidaymakers will soon be able to rent, as weekly or weekend holiday lettings, historical buildings in stunning locations. Barge Aground at St Ouen, Archirondel Tower, Seymour Tower, L'Etacquerel Fort are just some of the options that will become available for regular public use. The income will then be spent on refurbishing other historic buildings and keeping the entire portfolio properly maintained - a dramatic turnaround from the previous reality of neglect and decay.
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