While the period from April to June 2024 saw 33,932 visitors, this year that fell by 11% to 30,081, according to the latest statistics from the States.
This was also lower than the second quarter of 2023, when it was 30,607.
However, there was an increase in the number of people visiting to see family or friends, which rose by 4% from 15,825 to 16,443, a significant rise on the 2023 figures.
GHA president Alan Sillett said it was encouraging to see the steady increase in friends and family visitors. ‘However it is concerning to see a double-digit percentage drop in leisure visitors,’ he said.
‘This segment of the overall visitor economy is the most important one to many in our industry as the vast majority of leisure guests stay for three nights or more, and on an annual basis bring many millions of pounds into our local economy.’
He added that the series of ‘black swan’ events which hit Aurigny last year and the late publication of the ferry timetable following the tender process had possibly led to a drop in confidence in transport to the island and impacted visitor figures.
‘Not so long ago August was looking a little weak for some venues, but there has been a decent level of late bookings in recent weeks, so it will hopefully end up being positive,’ said Mr Sillett.
‘September is looking strong already, so we are hopeful of a good quarter three. And we certainly cannot use the weather as an excuse if Q3 visitor numbers are down on last year.’
The vast majority of visitors to the island stayed between one and 30 nights with the 58,204 who did this being similar to the number in the same quarter last year.
More people than in the second quarter of last year had come to the island for work purposes, including training and conferences, with the numbers up from 6,138 to 7,092.
The total number of resident and visiting passengers – including passengers on yachts and cruise ships – departing Guernsey was 161,198 from April to June this year, 3% higher year-on-year, but 6% down on 2023.
Breaking this down by those flying or using the ferry, there was a 2% annual change in residents flying, while there was a 61% change in residents departing by boat, while visitors departing from the airport rose 6% but the number of those leaving by ferry fell 3%.
The annual change in the number of visitors leaving by yacht was up by 22%, while visitors departing on cruise ships fell 35%.
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