The number of holidaymakers coming to Guernsey increased by 5% in 2017 according to latest figures from Visit Guernsey, though cruise ship passengers were down – primarily due to bad weather meaning they couldn’t come ashore.
The stats show an increase of 36,264 nights of commercial accommodation booked last year versus 2016 but a 17% decrease in passengers arriving on cruise ships, a fall of 22,673 visitors compared to 2016.
It comes as the 2018 TV advertising campaign begins on the theme of “go do great things in Guernsey”. It’s a key year for the island with the release of the film version of the best-selling book The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society in April.
Across the year, including day-trippers, total visitor numbers rose by 4%, equating to 10,054 people.
The day-trip market increased by 8%, though those travelling on business fell by 10%. The tourism body has just published a series of statistics for 2017, among them:
- Visitors from the UK increased by 3% ( up 5,691 people)
- Visitors from France increased by 11% (up 2,484)
- Visitors from Jersey fell by 5% (down 1,280)
- Visiting yachtsmen increased by 23% (up 3,881)
Deputy Charles Parkinson, president of the Committee for Economic Development, said: “It is encouraging to see such healthy growth in overall visitor numbers over the course of 2017, despite the bad weather in quarter four. It is especially encouraging to see such positive growth in staying leisure visitors and those staying in commercial accommodation as these drive the greatest financial return to the Guernsey economy.”
Mike Hopkins, Director of Marketing and Tourism, said: “We are delighted to see a healthy growth in visitor numbers over the course of 2017. 2018 is set to be an exciting year, with plans to capitalise on the release of the film version of the best-selling novel, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, on 20th April. We also have a number of fantastic events planned for the 2018 Guernsey Heritage Festival, which this year focuses on Guernsey’s Occupation and Liberation past, as well as the Spring Walking Festival in May and a new Floral Festival in June.”
