In this section, we will from time to time publish hopefully useful information, to assist with handling contingencies and emergencies based on past experience, and to help you deal with new developments in tourism as they arise.

This might include such diverse topics as dealing with an outbreak of contagious illness, how to report a suspected scam, precautions against legionella, how to handle complaints, accommodation contracts, managing consumer feedback on sites like Trip Advisor, and so on……

Please let us know if there is any topic you think we should cover here, or if you have any useful information you wish to share with industry partners.

Extension of Long-Stay Exemption - Sept 2024

After consultation with the Committee for Economic Development and the Policy and the Resources Committee, the Development & Planning Authority has agreed an extension to the period enabling long-stay, qualified residents to be accommodated in visitor accommodation without the requirement for a change of use application to be submitted.

These Regulations extend the date for the ending of the period during which a temporary change of use of premises can occur, from a visitor accommodation use to certain residential uses, without planning permission.  Serviced and non-serviced visitor accommodation (class 7 and class 8) are both able to change use under the exemption, but only if they provide accommodation that could be used as a residential ‘dwelling’ (class 1) – in other words, a place someone could live on their own.  For example, somewhere with kitchen and toilet facilities.

The date is extended from 31st December 2024 to 28^th February 2026.

As a result of the above change, the Regulations also extend the date on or by which the premises, the use of which has been changed temporarily in reliance on the exemption, has to revert to its previous visitor accommodation use. The date is extended from 31st January 2025 to 31st March 2026.

These Regulations came into force on the 19th day of September 2024.

Please note that if you wish to accommodate long-stay residents under this exemption, you should inform qualitydevelopment@gov.gg & planning@gov.gg of your intention in order that this can be correctly recorded.  If your property is currently classed as use Class 7 (serviced) or used Class 8 (non-serviced) you are required to hold a valid boarding permit throughout the entire period of the exemption (you will receive an invite to renew for 2025 & subsequently for 2026) and to respond to the monthly occupancy surveys.

We appreciate there may be some specific cases where it isn’t immediately clear if the change of use is permissible or not.  In those instances, please contact us at qualitydevelopment@gov.gg or planning@gov.gg and we would be happy to advise you further.

The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations

The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (PTRs) came into force in the UK on 1st July 2018 and apply to contracts made on or after that date. The PTRs implement the 2015 European Package Travel Directive (EU2015/2302), and apply to packages and linked travel arrangements sold in the UK, or advertised for sale in the UK, even if the organiser of the package or linked travel arrangement is not established in the UK. You can download the full article and download the guidance below.

Discrimination Legislation

Under the Prevention of Discrimination (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2022 (‘the Ordinance’ which came into force in October 2023), it is unlawful for businesses and employers to discriminate on the grounds of race, disability, carer status, religion or belief, and sexual orientation. This means people cannot be treated less favourably when they are accessing employment, goods, services or facilities, accommodation or clubs and associations if the reason for that treatment is related to one or more Protected Grounds.

For further information on the legislation can be found here

The Employment and Equal Opportunities Service (EEOS) also offers free and impartial advice to anyone in Guernsey, Herm or Jethou on matters relating to employment practices, employment legislation and the prevention of discrimination in the workplace or in the provision of goods and services.

If you offer a service to members of the public, whether for payment or not, if you are a private business or a public service, EEOS explains your legal duties with Quick Reference Guides. Post-complaint conciliation is also offered. Guidance and further information can be found here