- Condor Ferries has met with hoteliers in Jersey and Guernsey to discuss teething problems with new fast ferry
- The operator invited hospitality members to briefings about the vessel and potential impact on tourism
- Hoteliers were told that visitor numbers had not been affected by recent disruptions
- Will the Liberation prove to be the right ferry? Take our poll below
CONDOR Ferries has told hoteliers that teething problems with the Liberation fast ferry have been addressed and that visitor numbers to Jersey are not declining as a result of the problems with the ship.
On Monday morning, the operator invited members of the hospitality sector to a briefing to address concerns about the vessel and any potential impact on the number of tourists visiting the Island.
The ship has been plagued with problems since it was launched, including cancellations, reports of safety fears from passengers and a crash at Guernsey when it struck a harbour fender in strong winds on its second commercial crossing.
At the briefing at the Radisson Hotel, Alicia Andrews, executive commercial director at Condor, said that despite concerns about the impact on tourism, visitor numbers to Jersey remained the same as last year while Guernsey had seen a 6.5 per cent increase.
She said: ‘We work closely with all accommodation providers throughout the islands and felt it was important to meet with them to discuss the reality of Condor Liberation’s performance and the increases in staying visitors coming with Condor by sea this summer.’
Robert Mackenzie, managing director of the CI Travel Group, said that he was reassured, but had concerns about September, when the conventional ferry Commodore Clipper is to be taken out of service to undergo an emissions system upgrade, leaving the Liberation with no back-up.
‘They are clearly taking the matter seriously and doing their best to address the concerns that people are having, which is promising, but it is clearly a work in progress.
‘In terms of what we learnt, I do not think there was an awful lot that we didn’t already know but it is good to see them communicating with us and addressing the problems,’ he said.
‘One concern that was raised was that the Clipper is going into dry dock in September, which is normally a busy month for tourism.
‘If there is no back-up to the Liberation then it could result in lost business.
‘I asked why they couldn’t take the Clipper out of service in the winter and they explained that, while there are less passengers then, the weather is more likely to affect the Liberation,’ he added.
A second briefing was held in Guernsey yesterday afternoon.
