million outstanding balance of the Tourism Development Fund – on the proviso that the money will be used for a conference centre.
The committee last week discussed the fund at its monthly meeting.
The fund’s sub-committee have asked that a formal request be submitted to the Finance and Economics Committee as part of the 2010 capital programme.
The fund was originally granted £10 million, to be phased in over five years, but as a consequence of the subsequent pressure on public money it has so far only been given £1.
million, with a further £1 million coming in 2006 and another £1 million in 2009.
At the moment the applications being considered for the grant are fairly small, but the tourism industry as a whole has been lobbying for several years for a conference centre that would not only attract more visitors, but also serve as an entertainment venue.
A comprehensive feasibility study has been carried out to revamp Fort Regent as a conference venue, but there is no funding to carry it out.
The president of the Jersey Hospitality Association, Robert Weston, said: ‘The problem is that what is in the tourism development fund at the moment is not enough for the big projects, and there are not enough of the little projects.
‘What we wanted in 2001 was for grants on a pound-for-pound basis so that the industry could invest in its properties, but the States decided not to go with that.
Tourism needs more investment, but the industry doesn’t make any profit to invest.
The places we’re in competition with all make investments in their tourism industries, so how are we supposed to compete?’ Mr Weston said the financial pressure on the industry had in fact increased, with new legislation on minimum pay and employment laws about to come into force and a Goods and Services Tax likely to follow.
There was also disappointment in the industry about the States decision not to allow a casino.
‘What we want is a leisure complex, with shows and a conference centre, and perhaps a casino facility, so that it would benefit the whole industry and people will stay in the hotels – we wouldn’t want a casino hotel, which is what they are planning in Guernsey.
‘We don’t want to let the matter drop because it has the potential to bring in £60 million of revenue over 20 years.
Mr Weston added that not having any evening entertainment was a real disadvantage when conference organisers and tour operators were looking for venues.
‘They might be looking at Majorca, Seville and Paris, but when they ask what Jersey offers for evening entertainment, they can’t tick that box.
‘There are wonderful clubs for those in their 20s, but the average age of visitors is 53.
Jersey just doesn’t score in any other strong way against other destinations.
