Hotels Anticipate Boost from New Inter-Island Ferry Service

Hotels Hopeful as New Guernsey-Jersey Ferry Launches Amid Decline in Visitor Numbers

Guernsey hoteliers are optimistic that the newly launched Islands Unlimited ferry service will boost visitor numbers from Jersey, after a 50% drop in passenger movements so far in 2025 compared to last year.

The ferry, offering multiple daily crossings between Guernsey and Jersey, launched six days late at 07:00 BST on Thursday. Islands Unlimited CEO Chad Murray said he was “nervous and excited” ahead of the launch, urging islanders to use the service or risk losing it.

Andrew Chantrell, general manager at the Old Government House Hotel, called the new route a "great opportunity" to revive pan-island tourism, including twin-centre breaks popular with European visitors.

Tourism leaders say at least 60,000 visitors from Jersey are needed this year just to match 2024 figures. Charlie Walker, of the Little Big Hotel Group, warned the Jersey market had been overlooked, noting only 6,000 passenger movements so far in 2025.

Karel Harris of the Sarnia Hotel Group said rising flight costs had hurt overnight stays from Jersey and expressed hope the ferry would reverse that trend.

Murray said the service aimed to support both islands' visitor economies but added it must be viable long term: “If it’s not sustainable, it won’t continue.”