Q1 passenger numbers are an ‘encouraging start to the year’

Of the 78,582 passengers who have departed the island so far in 2024, 83% departed by aeroplane, 16% by ferry and less than 1% by cruise ships or yachts.

The total number was split between 25,456 departing visitors, which was 3% lower than 2023 and 21% lower than 2019, and 52,845 departing residents – 19% higher than Q1 2023 but 8% lower than Q1 2019.

‘There is much to be optimistic in the Q1 bulletin, when comparing to the same period last year,’ said Tourism Management Board chairwoman Hannah Beacom.

‘What we are seeing is significantly more visitors travelling for leisure, for both day trips and longer breaks, in what have traditionally been our quieter months for tourism, and they are staying for longer.

A 31% increase in those visitors coming to Guernsey for leisure, combined with more day trippers travelling for leisure – up 198% on 2023 – is significant.

‘The drop in business travel is disappointing, but not unexpected, which has resulted in an overall downturn in visitors, year-on-year.

‘But overall, an encouraging start to the year for Guernsey.’

She added that visitors who choose to travel by ferry tend to stay for longer. On average ferry visitors stayed 5.1 nights, resulting in an overall increase in bed nights and a boost to the overall economy.

The number of passengers travelling by air in Q1 2024 was 5% higher than 2023, but 16% lower than in 2019, whereas the number of passengers travelling by ferry was 33% higher than in 2023, and 6% higher than in 2019.

‘These positive figures include visitors and residents using us in greater numbers,’ said Condor Ferries CEO Christophe Mathieu.

‘We attribute this encouraging trend to our extended use of conventional ferries which improved reliability, despite a number of storms in the English Channel, along with our investment in marketing to bring more visitors to the Bailiwick.

‘Condor remains committed to promoting our beautiful islands to both new and existing customers, whether they travel as leisure visitors, business tourists or visiting friends and relatives, and I am pleased to report that forward bookings for the remainder of this summer are promising.’

Seven out of every 10 visitors during Q1 2024 were from the UK, 1% from France, 16% from Jersey and 11% were from elsewhere.

Of the visitors 38% were seeing friends or family, 25% were visiting for leisure and 27% were in the island for business.