Netted curtains requirement dropped from hotel law

Hotels in Jersey will no longer be required to have chambermaid pantries or netted curtains by law.

The government said it had removed the "outdated" regulations to give people who provide holiday accommodation greater freedom and flexibility to invest in hospitality.

Also scrapped from the 1990 tourism law are requirements for hotels to have a minimum of 16 bedrooms, and provide meals at set times, as well as rule changes around where guests can sleep on campsites.

It now means campers can now sleep in cabins, campervans, huts, lodges or pods, rather than just in tents.

"Having unnecessary prescriptions like those doesn't help anyone," said Michael Barnes, director of Beausite Hotel, in Grouville.

"Any rule or law which has been around that long is inevitably going to be out of date, so I think the Minister has been absolutely right to make this adjustment in time for the summer."

Barnes said as well as being encouraged by the changes, it allowed businesses like his to evolve in the digital age.

"We're moving at all times and trying to diversify what we do, otherwise if you stand still you'll die," he said.

"With AI coming along, people have been able to choose where they go so much more easily.

"Anything which helps the customer get what they want is important."

Deputy Kirsten Morel, the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, said the move should make it possible for businesses to make more profit.

"With this amendment to the Tourism Order we are cutting unnecessary red tape so that Jersey's accommodation providers can modernise, reinvest, and strengthen the visitor experience for tourists," he said.

"These changes should enable businesses to innovate, become more profitable, and contribute to a competitive visitor economy."

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