THE States lacks the will to consolidate the tourist industry. Former States director of visitor economy Stuart Pinnell added that switching emphasis from quantity to quality was long overdue in the trade.

Closing some hotels would enable others to upgrade, but he said that some politicians did not see it that way.

Mr Pinnell returned to the island for Tuesday’s planning inquiry at Les Cotils and spoke on proposals for amendments to the laws that could allow more establishments to leave the tourism sector.

‘My concern is with politicians on the Environment board,’ he said.

‘Some members have made it clear that they would stand in the way of change, regardless of the outcome of this planning inquiry.’

He said they based their thinking on subjective personal issues rather than looking at things objectively and strategically.

‘The island has lost three years already and if it does not change quickly, it will be left behind.’

He compared the visitor economy to a tree that was withering and at risk of dying.

‘You either leave it in the hope that someone will find a cure, or you prune it. You might end up with a smaller tree, but it will be a healthier one.’

Previous political regimes had set unrealistic targets for visitor numbers, said Mr Pinnell.

He said that the island had to stop looking back to the 1960s and start looking forward.

He claimed that in March 2004, the former Tourist Board and Island Development Committee told him not to attend the rural area planning inquiry because his views were contradictory to theirs.

Prior to coming to Guernsey in June 2003, Mr Pinnell had worked in several island communities round the world specialising in destination marketing and business development to the private sector. He is now managing director of the East of England Tourist Board.

He said La Fregate and La Barbarie were examples of quality hotels that were doing well and investing in their futures.

‘But you can only justify investment if you get returns.’

He said there were serious problems with quality in tourist establishments and too many rundown hotels that could not respond to the demands of the modern visitor.

‘Some are having to charge a pittance – £15 for bed and breakfast and some are having to throw dinner in as well.’