It is proposed to allow 300 beds to drop from our overall bed count to help drive occupancy rates in the accommodation which is most capable dealing with the bookings we share between us.

this has really raised 2 schools of thought,

1. This is a good thing as it will stop the jam being spread so thin, allowing higher occupancies in remaining properties which in turn will drive profit and therefore allow for an improvement of existing bed stock thus attracting a higher spend visitor to the island with high expectations.

2. There are those that suggest that we need to maintain the current levels because fewer beds will mean fewer visitors and that Visit Guernsey are coping out of filling our beds and they should try harder.

There is also a belief that a reduction in bed stock would ultimately affect air routes as people arriving on the island would have nowhere to stay.

I have to say that something does not quite stack up on this, currently the rural area is running at a year round occupancy of 45% - most people agree that to maintain a decent level of investment, we need to be running at 65%.

It is also said that you are unable to get a room in August on the island, hands up how many of you are 100% full in August, I for one am certainly not.

To fill this islands beds would probably need another 12 new airport routes, I do not believe that the airlines honestly think that the number of beds we have will discourage more links or indeed existing services, If we run on the whole at 60% then we still have another 40% to fill.

One thing that does raise a question is which propertys will be eligible for such change of use, we all no of one or two places that will apply for change but I think there may be a few surprises to come out of the woodwork.

It is indeed interesting times and I feel its going to get a whole lot more interesting.