Tourism in Bergerac Exceeds Expectations

The new Bergerac TV series has had an "enormous" impact on Jersey’s tourism, surpassing expectations, according to the island's tourism board.

Tricia Warwick, CEO of Visit Jersey, revealed that visits to the organisation's website jumped by 70% in February compared to the previous month. This surge in online interest has also led to a significant rise in hotel bookings and travel reservations to the island.

Looking ahead, Ms Warwick said the key challenge is maintaining the momentum of the so-called "Bergerac effect." To do this, Visit Jersey plans to collaborate closely with local businesses to capitalise on the growing trend of "set-jetting" – travel inspired by film and TV – by highlighting filming locations across the island.

"We're making sure our partners are stepping up so that when you visit Jersey, Bergerac is impossible to miss," Ms Warwick said.

The original Bergerac detective series aired on the BBC from 1981 to 1991 and was famously shot in Jersey. The new reboot, filmed on the island last summer, offers a fresh take on the classic drama. Investing in promoting the series was a bold move, Ms Warwick admitted, describing it as a "big commitment" for Visit Jersey's budget.

"There were definitely some doubters questioning whether this was the right path, so it was a risk," she said. "But I believed it was worth taking – and now we can see it’s paying off." Looking to the future, Ms Warwick stressed the importance of ongoing investment in Jersey's visitor economy to keep the island "loud and proud on the world stage for travel."