27 January 2017
The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham, has published proposals for a new tourism law.
The consultation paper advocates replacing the existing Tourism (Jersey) Law 1948 with a new, streamlined law based on six key principles:
- improve conditions for industry growth
- benefit both the consumer and business
- secure sufficient data for marketing and policy purposes
- provide for limited casual home rental
- maintain public safety
- lower the cost of regulation without compromising the other objectives
Senator Farnham said "Our tourism industry is working hard with Visit Jersey to generate additional and sustainable growth across the sector in the years ahead. Government has an important role to play in helping to make that extra growth achievable. I am proposing a new law that will strip away some unnecessary red tape and give the industry greater scope to respond to the demands of the market. I also intend to clarify the rules around Airbnb-style short term letting and put the tourism accommodation licensing system online for the first time.”
CEO of Visit Jersey, Keith Beecham, said “Visit Jersey is pleased to see that the Department of Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture is consulting on revising the 1948 Jersey Tourism Law. We are pleased that the tourism and hospitality industry and Jersey population will now have an opportunity to help ensure that we have a tourism regulatory environment fit for the 21 Century. This revision will also ensure several recommendations in the Jersey Destination Plan can be moved forward.”
Tourist accommodation providers, consumers, other industry stakeholders and members of the public will have until the end of March 2017 to comment on the proposals via any of the following methods:
Tourism law consultation
Call Economic Development, Tourism Sport and Culture on+44 (0) 1534 448133
Email the department
Write to Tourism Law Consultation, Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture Department, Cyril Le Marquand House, St. Helier, JE4 8UL
gov.je