Brittany Ferries revealed official figures this week which confirmed that it, and Guernsey, had now claimed 55% of the ferry traffic between the UK and the Channel Islands.
Guernsey passenger figures rose to 112,255 between April and October, compared to 90,614 over the same period last year when the route was being operated by Condor Ferries, and also involved travel to Jersey, and 92,215 in 2023.
Official data also showed that this year 92,023 people travelled to Jersey by ferry, compared to 100,617 last year and 102,034 the year before. Market share for Jersey was 53% for both those years.
Not only are more people travelling to the island by sea, the number of Guernsey visitors overall in the peak summer months was up on last year.
Visitor numbers between July and September reached 127,954, up from 122,678 across the same period last year, with 78,170 staying visitors, marking a 3% increase year-on-year.
Visit Guernsey’s net promoter score also saw a significant improvement, rising to 71 compared to 55 last year showing growing visitor satisfaction.
The tourism agency continues to try to develop links with France.
This autumn it attended IFTM Top Resa in Paris, one of the premier annual travel trade events, attracting over 34,000 industry professionals and visitors.
‘The event offered an excellent opportunity to strengthen our presence in the French market, showcase our connectivity with France, and share updates on key initiatives such as the Millennium European Year of the Normans,’ said a spokesman.
He added that there was significant interest shown at the event for group travel, outdoor adventure, sustainable tourism, and cultural experiences – ‘all areas where Guernsey excels’.
It was recently revealed that withdrawing from a joint Channel Islands’ deal last year, and signing a partnership with Brittany Ferries unilaterally, saved Guernsey losing almost total control of its ferry services.
Details of the extraordinary demands which were being made of the islands by rival bidder DFDS were revealed when Jersey published its contract with the Danish operator.
Former Economic Development president Neil Inder said yesterday that backing the French operator saved his seat in the States at this summer’s general election.
‘There are no two ways about it – without that, I’d have probably been toast, to be perfectly frank with you,’ said Deputy Inder.
He was speaking on the latest edition of the Guernsey Press Politics Podcast, which will be available later this week.
Voyager takes first trip in new Brittany Ferries livery
The Voyager set sail yesterday morning for its first trip in its new Brittany Ferries livery.
Returning from its annual dry dock in Cherbourg the Voyager went back in to service operating from St Malo, to Guernsey and then on to Jersey for its weekly inter-island sailing.
While in dry dock, the vessel also underwent key maintenance, including an engine overhaul and underwater coating work to support fuel efficiency, helping ensure everything with Voyager stays shipshape for the busy months ahead.
The Voyager is the second in Brittany Ferries’ fleet to have the new livery added after the Islander was changed from Condor livery in March.
The Clipper – which operates the Cherbourg to Portsmouth route and Brittany Ferries’ Irish route from Rosslare to Cherbourg – is still to be repainted.
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