Tourism Board Stands Firm in Support of Visitor Tax Implementation

Hannah Beacom, the chair of the Tourism Management Board (TMB), expressed her willingness to support proposals by the Policy & Resources Committee (P&R) for implementing a tourism tax. However, she emphasized that any revenue generated should be reinvested into the industry itself.

“Whether it’s used directly in product development and funding or invested in sustainability, our surroundings, and natural beauty,” Beacom stated. She also noted that the tax “would need to be fairly modest so as not to impact people’s decision-making about visiting.” TMB has expressed concerns over potential expenses associated with collecting such a tax exceeding the revenue generated.

Guernsey States treasurer Bethan Haines, who is also the chief resources officer on P&R, indicated that further revenue-raising measures would be presented to the States in due course. Beacom proposed using an app for tourists to collect revenue as one solution but admitted she was unaware of its associated costs.

Another concern raised by TMB is the potential impact of a tourism tax alongside existing GST. Initially, they were supportive when it was suggested without considering GST contributions from island residents. Now, Beacom questioned whether implementing such a tax would be “fair” given that people on the island are already contributing through GST.

These discussions highlight ongoing deliberations within Guernsey regarding balancing tourism revenue generation and ensuring that economic benefits remain localized to support the industry’s growth and sustainability.