Guernsey committee approves £75,000 grant to support inter-island ferry services
- Economic Development grants £75,000 to Islands Unlimited for marketing support during summer season
- Funding aims to boost passenger growth from Guernsey and Jersey and attract more visitors to Channel Islands
- Islands Unlimited launched in 2025 with £150,000 start-up support and carried over 27,000 passengers in first year
- Additional funding follows discussions about route development and ensuring resilient inter-island connectivity
- Committee maintains wider commitment including weekly Brittany Ferries rotations under 15-year contract
Economic Development has agreed to provide £75,000 in funding to Islands Unlimited to support inter-island ferry connectivity during the summer season.
The grant is specifically targeted at the company's marketing spend, with the aim of increasing passenger numbers from both Guernsey and Jersey whilst attracting additional visitors to the Channel Islands.
Islands Unlimited, which launched in 2025 with £150,000 of start-up support from Economic Development, provides travel options between Guernsey and Jersey. The additional route development funding follows further discussions between the company and the committee, and is intended to support robust and resilient inter-island connectivity.
In its first year of operation, Islands Unlimited carried over 27,000 passengers.
Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, President of Economic Development, said: "Economic development is committed to inter-island connectivity and ensuring there are robust travel links between the Bailiwick's of Guernsey and Jersey.
"This is why have agreed to continue our support this year as Islands Unlimited progresses with its business plan and as the route is development with a new operator.
"We hope to see continued passenger growth on this service and the route as a whole this year which will benefit islanders from both Guernsey and Jersey and bring new visitors to the Bailiwicks.
"While there is still work to be done on ensuring interisland sea connectivity fits the needs of all islanders, we continue walking the walk on our commitment to inter island connectivity through funding and marketing support with Islands Unlimited and contractual obligations for the provision of a weekly rotation with Brittany Ferries as part of our 15-year contract."
The committee's wider commitment to inter-island connectivity includes contractual obligations for weekly rotations with Brittany Ferries as part of a 15-year contract.
A spokesperson for Islands Unlimited said: "Islands Unlimited welcomes the Committee for Economic Development's support for our 2026 marketing programme.
"This funding will help us continue promoting travel to and from the Bailiwick, supporting visitor growth, economic activity, and stronger connectivity between our islands.
"We remain committed to working collaboratively with the States of Guernsey, industry partners, and stakeholders across the Bailiwick to increase visitor numbers, encourage greater movement between the islands, and develop sustainable transport links that benefit residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
"We look forward to continuing these important discussions and playing our part in strengthening the Bailiwick's connectivity and tourism offering."
Q&A
Q: How much funding has the Committee for Economic Development agreed to provide Islands Unlimited?
A: The committee has agreed to provide a £75,000 grant targeted at supporting the company's marketing spend during the summer season.
Q: How many passengers did Islands Unlimited carry in 2025?
A: Islands Unlimited carried over 27,000 passengers in 2025, its first year of operation.
Q: What previous support has Islands Unlimited received?
A: Islands Unlimited launched in 2025 with £150,000 of start-up support from the Committee for Economic Development.
Comments ()