National stories not helpful for tourism

By Phil Falle

National media coverage of the Sark situation could have an adverse effect on the island’s tourist industry. Meanwhile, Sark’s wildflower fortnight looks set to be a blooming success, with many areas carpeted in flowers. (0091963)

THEY say that all publicity is good publicity, but after reading lengthy articles about Sark in two national newspapers recently – The Times and the Daily Mail – I have to say that I disagree.

I have taken this view not necessarily because of the articles themselves but because of a comment made by a reader on one of the newspaper’s website.

‘Is it still safe to travel there?’ asked a Times reader.

I have no idea whether the comment was a flippant throwaway line, a tongue-in- cheek observation from someone who knows Sark well, or a genuine viewpoint the reader made after having read the article. Quite frankly, I care even less because the potential for damage has already been created.

If anybody in Sark doubts the effect adverse publicity can have – in our case a picture of a squabbling community with groups playing childish tit-for-tat, but interpreted (wholly erroneously, in my view) by some publications as all-out war – on the island’s tourism industry then may I suggest they cast an eye 13 or so miles to the south-east to the coast of Jersey.

Of course there is no comparison between an investigation into dozens of allegations of child abuse and what is going on here but my point centres on the pictures being painted by journalists who, in some cases – and there are honourable exceptions – never let the truth get in the way of a good news story, to quote one of my profession’s oldest sayings.

Nevertheless, it is a fact that members of the hospitality industry in Jersey are in some cases close to despair because of the unfavourable (and in many cases, unfair) publicity that island has received as a result of the Haut de la Garenne affair.

Its national advertising campaign was halted as a direct result of adverse comments from established and potential visitors, as much as anything else, and has only just been resumed, although the cost – direct and indirect – must be huge.

Several traders to whom I have spoken in Sark fear a repetition here and although it will not be on the same scale, they do genuinely fear that the unfavourable publicity we are currently receiving, although possibly unlikely to have much of an impact on day trippers, may well influence those planning a longer stay.

All I can say is that I am sure that Sark will be its customary welcoming self to all its tourists and plead with them to see for themselves what this island has to offer in terms of being an unrivalled haven of peace and tranquillity.

As to those Sark residents who may be tempted to discuss our minor local difficulties with visiting journalists, there are many people here who rely on tourism as their sole source of income who would ask them to at least exercise caution when considering whether dirty washing should indeed be cleaned in public.

Quite frankly, it’s time this nonsense stopped.

I referred a week or so ago to the first trickle of tourists arriving and for those planning a visit soon, the weekend sees the start of the now well-established and very popular Wild Flower Fortnight, which starts on Saturday and ends on Sark’s Liberation Day, 10 May.There’s an exhibition which runs for the two weeks at the Sark Visitor Centre – for those who’ve never been before, that is just past the end of The Avenue next to the prison – and the indefatigable staff there have details of the walks which have been organised for this very special event.

The bluebells and wild garlic are still with us and there are many locations which are ablaze – certainly when the sun is shining – with the yellow flowers of gorse bushes.

The visitor centre is also selling a booklet detailing some of the popular walks for those who want to head off on their own. While on the subject of dates, the ever-popular sheep racing is scheduled for of 5-6 July and I am told that a full programme of events for that particular weekend will be posted on the Sark Tourism website (sark.info) as soon as it becomes available.

As those who have attended in previous years will know, the sheep racing is certainly worth making a diary note for.

Sark School’s funds are now better off to the tune of a fraction (30p) short of £750, thanks to the sale of school recipe books.Emma-Joe (correct spelling) Rose told me that this was a project created entirely by parents of children at the school and on behalf of the school and the parents and said that they were extremely grateful to all those who had helped produce the books.

And that’s a very nice note on which to end.