The change of name will come into force in May

The Tourist Board is set to become Visit Guernsey when the States' committees are redesigned in May.

And a new organisation has been established in Alderney to help protect its tourist industry.

The group, Alderney Commerce and Tourism 2004 (ACT2004), is chaired by independent financial adviser Tony Le Blanc.

Welcome boost

Guernsey's change of image will come into effect when the Board's responsibilities are taken over by the new Commerce and Employment Department.

Tourism Chief Stuart Pinnell says the change will bring Guernsey in line with the UK, following the creation of Visit Britain.

He says the term tourism no longer reflects what the organisation is about as it does not include the business or conference markets.

Alderney makes about �5m a year through its tourism sector, making it the single biggest contributor to the island's economy.

Act 2004 has already held two workshops, in November and December of last year.

These were aimed at highlighting some of the opportunities open to the island's visitor economy as well as potential obstacles.