Herm looks to UK for visitors after increase

But despite this, visitor numbers to the island have remained stable this year.

Mr Senior said it seemed that a lot of Bailiwick residents had been taking the chance to travel further afield, with Covid concerns alleviated.

But UK visitors have filled that gap, leaving Herm’s summer season visitor numbers remaining stable.

Mr Senior said bookings were already going well for next summer, with the camp site booked up and strong bookings for the hotel and self-catering.

There will also be publicity over the winter to drum up interest in the island.

‘We are working at raising more awareness in the UK of Herm,’ Mr Senior said.

‘We are also looking at doing more bespoke wedding receptions. It is a wonderful venue.’

Mr Senior was married in Herm earlier this summer.

For local residents, the island will also continue to do weekend events, like tribute acts.

The island stays open over the winter, with its own boat operating.

But it also is a chance to do some improvements. One of the biggest projects has been upgrading all of the island’s boilers and converting to biodiesel. While the fuel was more expensive than oil when they started the project, rising oil prices has now left them comparable. Mr Senior said the new fuel was odourless and better for the environment.

‘We are upgrading the boilers, some of which are 30 to 40 years old,’ he said.

‘The upgrading makes them 30% more efficient, so that will make us savings.’

Behind the scenes, Fisherman’s Cottage is getting a new kitchen, Harbour Cottage is getting a new porch and the hotel a new freezer. Down at Shell Beach there are set to be improvements to the electrical supply, as well as some work on the new toilet block to make it fit in better with its surroundings.