Could agents help a small island forge a better relationship with cruise?

Although Guernsey resident Anna Zwicky describes St Peter Port to TTG as "an unspoilt gem", her advice to visitors is to "get out and explore the rest of the island" – the hidden spots often unexplored by cruise guests. “The beaches on the west coast are uncrowded, and the south coast cliff walks have wonderful scenery," she said.

While businesses in St Peter Port itself typically see an increase in customers during a cruise call, this is not always the case further inland. Mim Sarre is manager of Mim’s Kiosks, a cafe located at Cobo beach about a 20-minute drive from the town centre.

In the summer months, Sarre said she does not see as many cruise passengers as she would like at the kiosk. This year, she is planning to go down to the harbour herself and encourage cruise passengers fresh off the ship to come and visit the cafe.

“It’s only £2 on the bus, and there is lots of beautiful greenery to see on the way,” she said, adding that as passengers are often already booked onto tours and excursions before arriving in Guernsey, “they tend to go to town – and that’s about it".

While tours are one of the only ways cruise passengers tend to experience the island in the short amount of time they are offered, they do provide opportunities to meet locals and learn about the area’s history.

Carla Bauer, a tour guide employed by the Bailiwick of Guernsey Guild of Accredited Guides, told TTG she believes cruise passengers do have “an overall positive impact" on island life. “They buy local products and eat at local restaurants, as well as getting a taste of the island,” she said.

“I do tours around the town to show them the rich history of the island. They [passengers] only get a taste of the area while on a cruise excursion, but passengers don’t want to necessarily spend all their time travelling when they are off the ship.”

Bauer encouraged cruise guests to travel across the island using its bus network to cover as much as possible during their short visit. “Cruises provide a way for passengers to try out parts of the island, and make them want to come back for a longer stay,” she added.

Clia data highlights the importance of these first impressions, with more than six in 10 consumers who have taken a cruise returning to destinations they visited for the first time during a sailing.

“The growth of the cruise industry can lead to the development of new infrastructure and amenities, such as expanded port facilities and improved transportation links,” a spokesperson told TTG.

So, the next time a client books a cruise, why not encourage them to step beyond the most popular areas and explore further afield? It may well have a much wider impact than they realise.