Oct 02 - GSD: Loss Of Monarch “A Serious Blow” To Gibraltar’s Tourism Sector
The GSD has said today that it “greatly regrets” the news that Monarch Airlines has ceased trading and that all Monarch flights to and from Gibraltar have been cancelled. The party says that Monarch has been a great servant of Gibraltar, operating about 35% of all seats available by air from Gibraltar and serving four UK destinations. The GSD says the news is a blow to the aviation tourist sector and Gibraltar tourism in general.
Trevor Hammond, GSD spokesman for tourism said "our immediate concern is for those residents of the Rock who may be stranded in the UK, it is normal practice for a Government to provide assistance in repatriating residents as the UK Government is already in the process of doing for its citizens. Government advice issued today is basically to say that they will offer no assistance whatsoever to stranded residents abroad and that they should re-book flights and claim on insurance if they have any. Some assistance in identifying available flights would have been of value at least, rather than Government just washing its hands of those stranded.
"The loss of Monarch is a serious blow to our tourist sector, as I have recently highlighted, aviation was one area showing considerable growth in an otherwise depressed tourist market, this is a set back but the Monarch routes to Gibraltar were successful and one hopes that Government will be able to find another airline to pick up this demand. The demise of Monarch is not entirely unexpected and this will be a test of Government's planning and marketing strategy in the tourist sector which is so important to our economy".
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