Forget Alpine peaks and Dutch tulip fields – this summer, nearly 5,000 visitors from Austria, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland will be swapping their home landscapes for the sandy shores and rugged cliffs of the Channel Islands.
Blue Islands has announced a major European charter programme in partnership with Visit Jersey and representatives from Guernsey, set to bring 4,690 visitors across 67 inbound flights.
The operator says the initiative is expected to generate up to 33,000 bed nights, which is hoped to bring a boom to the island’s challenged tourist economy.
“We are thrilled to work with our valued tour operator partners to deliver inbound European charter programmes, enabling visitors from Austria, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland to discover the unique charm and beauty of Jersey and Guernsey this summer,” Blue Islands CEO Rob Veron said.
“We have been operating series charters to the islands for over 15 years and are proud of the role we play in supporting the inbound visitor economy – an important sector of our islands’ wider economies.”
A spokesperson for Blue Islands confirmed that the distribution of passengers between Jersey and Guernsey is yet to be finalised.
A limited number of seats are available for flight-only bookings from Jersey to Bern and Zurich.
IN NUMBERS…
- 20 weekly departures from the Dutch cities of Groningen and Rotterdam.
- 7 inbound flights from the Austrian capital, Vienna
- Services from five regional airports in northern and central Germany, including Hannover and Bremen
- One new route from Bern, Switzerland, complementing Blue Islands’ existing Zurich flights