MINISTERS who can effect change within the Island’s visitor economy should be brought together through the creation of a new committee, according to the Jersey Hospitality Association – which has criticised the current “siloed” approach to the sector.
JHA co-chief executive Marcus Calvani said that the committee should also include industry representatives “to help steer and educate and work in a collaborative manner”.
He noted the publication of the Visitor Economy Strategy in 2024, outlining plans to grow the sector, bolster transport links and improve policy co-ordination across government.
Mr Calvani said: “During that process of the last two years of attempting to deliver it, it has become extremely apparent that this siloed government and this split ministerial system – and no ties between them when it comes to priority of our industry – has made it incredibly difficult to deliver.”
He continued: “A lot of our time is actually spent just trying to bridge the gaps between those government departments, and a lot of the problems that our members face on a daily basis are actually created because of that structure that’s in government.”
Mr Calvani contended that, as the visitor economy applied to the workstreams of many different ministers, there was “absolutely no reason” why a committee shouldn’t be formed.
“It should have specific ministers on it, it should be chaired by the Economic Development Minister or whoever that minister who has oversight of the visitor economy is,” he added.
“It should also have industry representation in the form of the JHA or a Visit Jersey person, that kind of stuff on there – to help steer and educate and work in a collaborative manner to deliver.”
