Where is Guernsey?

Getting Guernsey out there. A letter lambasting the marketing efforts of the Edwardian Chamber of Commerce (there was no Tourist Board). Guernsey Evening Press and Star, Thursday 5 August 1909 

SINI DUBIO.¹ “WHERE IS GUERNSEY.” [ Sir,—Your correspondent “E.W.F.,” in his letter of the 30th ult., would seem to imply that the Advertising Committee of the Chamber of Commerce is quite a moribund body, and that it is not using any efforts 40 make the Island known on the mainland of England and France. For his information we wish to state that for some years past advertising has been carried on by the Chamber of Commerce Advertising Committee in conjunction with the States Advertising Committee by means of advertisements in the English Press, the free distribution of booklets, and the placing of effective coloured posters, at stations throughout the Kingdom and on the Continent. At the present time there are three sets of lantern slides, with accompanying Jectures, dealing with the Islands of Guernsey mg Sark, in constant use throughout the North of England and Midlands. These lectures have proved themselves very effectual, and quite a number of people have visited the Island as a result of them. Commencing with the month of July, advertisements dealing with the attractions of Guernsey are inserted in the leading papers of the United Kingdom, and weekly a paragraph appears in the “Silver Sea” column of the “Daily ‘Telegraph,” whilst letters have also appeared in many of the leading English papers pointing out the fine weather and hours of sunshine we have enjoyed ‘here as compared with the weather recently obtaining on the mainland. A somewhat extensive advertisement has also been current during the last two years in the time-tables and guide book of the “Chemin de Fer de L’Ouest ” of France, and it is noticeable that during that period the number of French visitors to the Island has been greatly in excess of any previous period. That the efforts of the Advertising Committee are productive of good results is proved gy the fact that applications for booklets and for information respecting accommodation in the Island are coming in at the rate of about 50 per day, and the increase of the number of passengers brought by the liners serving the Island goes to show that the Island is reaping the benefits of judicious advertising.. Whilst the Advertising Committee are doing their utmost to induce visitors to come to the Island it rests with the authorities to do their part in making Guernsey still more attractive, so that it will compare favourably with other places catering for summer and winter visitors. Funds for the purpose of advertising are raised by subscriptions from the local tradesmen, augmented by a grant from the States in the proportion of two to one, the contribution from the State not to exceed £2OO, and, whilst expressing our thanks to the few who ‘have contributed, we feel that a much larger amount could be well expended to the undoubted benefit of the Islands as a whole, Yours faithfully, ; C. KITTS, Hon. Sec, C. of C. Advertising Committee. WM. B. RANDELL, Hon, Sec. Chamber of Commerce.

---

¹ Sic.