VisitGuernsey and Visit Jersey unite to boost Channel Islands tourism

In December 2024, the VisitGuernsey team, joined by Tourism Management Board Chair Hannah Beacom, crossed the water for a key meeting with Visit Jersey. The goal? To strengthen collaboration, share insights, and build on each other’s successes. 

A major step in this partnership was a joint presence at ITB Berlin - the world’s leading travel trade show. Held annually in March, ITB attracts 5,600 exhibitors and over 100,000 attendees, offering a prime platform to showcase the Channel Islands. This year, under the unified banner of "Visit the Channel Islands," both teams worked together to promote the islands as a multi-destination holiday experience. 

With a joint stand strategically positioned opposite VisitBritain, VisitGuernsey and Visit Jersey made a strong impression. This collaboration not only elevated the islands’ visibility but also created valuable opportunities to engage with new and existing stakeholders. 

During the three-day event, Marketing Manager Sam Claxton and German-based PR representative Scott Crouch held key meetings with major German tour operators - including Wolters Reisen, DERTour, and Studiosus - aiming to establish a direct flight from Germany to Guernsey by 2026. 

In addition, the team connected with leading German travel journalists and influential platforms such as Travelzoo, Komoot, and Wanderlust to enhance PR efforts targeting the German-speaking market. 

Building on this momentum, the next step is a Familiarisation Trip in May 2025, co-hosted by VisitGuernsey and Visit Jersey. This trip will welcome product managers from five German tour operators, offering them firsthand experiences in Guernsey, Jersey, and either Herm or Sark - encouraging them to feature the Channel Islands in future travel packages. 

This renewed spirit of collaboration marks an exciting chapter for Channel Islands tourism, with more joint initiatives to come.