Select a region
A challenging first quarter saw an overall decrease in the total number of departing visitors of -14.9% including cruise passengers and visiting yachtsmen, and -12% excluding cruise ship passenger and visiting yachtsmen.
Total visitor numbers decreased by -14.9% from January – March 2018 (29,616 compared to 34,811 in Q1 2017), with bad weather conditions resulting in two ships being cancelled accounting for 1300 shortfall in passengers visiting the island.
Excluding cruise passengers and visiting yachtsmen, visitor numbers still decreased by -12% (29,330 compared to 33,484 in Q1 2017).
Total leisure visitors saw a decline of -23% (-2,046), whilst total staying visitors declined by -12% (-3,124). Those staying in commercial accommodation decreased by -16% (-2,833) with a -16% reduction in bed nights (-9,295). The average length of stay however increased by +9% (4.44 nights compared to 4.09 nights in 2016).
Business visitors also saw a decrease with a -10% (-846) decrease in staying business, whilst business day visits decreased by -24% (1,004). Leisure day visits also saw a decrease of -8% (-173).
States director of Marketing and Tourism Mike Hopkins said the results were very disappointing.
"While it is very disappointing to see a drop in numbers, following a 4% rise in total visitors during 2017, it is important to note that Q1 represents only a small percentage of the total visitors over the course of the year – the decline equating to just over 1% of total visitors during 2017.
"With lots of activity kicking off in April surrounding the release of “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” generating positive interest in the Island, as well as a number of exciting events taking place across the year such as the Guernsey Heritage Festival, Spring and Autumn Walking Festivals and the new Guernsey Floral Festival in June, the rest of 2018 looks to be more promising for Guernsey’s tourism industry.”
Other stats showed that while there was a -18% decrease in visitors from the UK (-4,631), visitors from France increased by +63% (+407).
Visiting yachtsmen saw an increase of +31% (+67) compared to 2017.
Visitors travelling by air decreased by -13% (-3,805). Those travelling by sea decreased by -7% (-349).
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.