Recent data from the States of Guernsey shows yacht arrivals in Q2 were up 22% on last year – which in turn saw an 11% increase on 2023.
This year’s boating season is on course to surpass the 20,000 people who arrived by private vessel last year.
‘We’ve hosted a record number of visiting regattas, and the interest we received at boat shows in the spring has converted to increased bookings from sailors visiting Guernsey for the first time,’ said Kieran Higgs, head of leisure for Guernsey Marinas.
Guernsey Ports launched its refreshed leisure marine brand earlier this year.
With upgraded facilities and a packed schedule of regattas and events, Guernsey Marinas is meeting its aim to highlight the island’s visitor offerings – supporting the blue economy and growing marine tourism.
‘Refreshing our identity has helped us to target leisure visitors more directly and tell Guernsey’s story as a destination,’ said Mr Higgs, who is also assistant harbour master for Guernsey Ports.
‘Combined with our presence at events such as the inaugural St Malo Boat Show and the upcoming Southampton Boat Show, we are showcasing our cruising grounds to new audiences and connecting with return visitors.’
Over the winter, Guernsey Ports completed a £300,000 pontoon upgrade in the Victoria Marina, as part of an ongoing project to update ageing infrastructure across the marinas.
Its enrolment in the reciprocal leisure boating programme Passeport Escales has helped promote the island across Europe, as well as benefitting Guernsey Ports’ mooring holders, who qualify for up to 10 free nights per season at more than 100 marinas across the continent.
Though France and the south of England are the primary markets, there has been an influx of group sailings from the Netherlands – the third biggest market for Guernsey Marinas – and Germany.
Mr Higgs said he thought that Brittany Ferries and Visit Guernsey’s joint marketing was creating a wave of new interest across the Channel.
‘A strong visitor season for our harbours is beneficial for Guernsey Ports and more generally, for the blue economy and for Town businesses which benefit from that visiting trade and who contribute a lot to the visitor experience,’ he said.
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