And there are more of them around too. Visit Guernsey yesterday confirmed initial indications of booming numbers for the holiday season so far, up 13% on the same quarter last year and 23% on 2023.
Some 65,714 people stayed at least one night after arriving by plane or ferry between April and June.
Between them they spent the equivalent of 286,831 nights in local accommodation, a 10% rise on last year and 14% more than in 2023.
‘We’re almost back at pre-Covid numbers of visitors to the island, which, given the global economic challenges since, is a remarkable achievement for Guernsey’s tourism sector,’ said Visit Guernsey marketing manager Sam Claxton.
‘Day-trippers and longer-term visitor numbers are up, our hotels are seeing more rooms booked at this time of year, and there is a growing sense of confidence across the industry that reflects a positive shift in demand for Guernsey as a destination.’
The net promoter score given by visitors leaving by plane or ferry reached 77 points between April and June – the highest on record – up from 68 in the same quarter last year, and 64 in 2023.
The score is worked out by taking the proportion of visitors who rate the island nine or 10 out of 10 and subtracting those who give it six or less.
Guernsey’s rating has now climbed nine points in a year and 13 points over three years.
Visitors seeing friends or family were the most enthusiastic, while those travelling for business gave the lowest average ratings. More than half of all visitors, 56%, said they had been to the island before.
Of the 1,233 who left comments, the largest share – just over a quarter – described a great trip and called the island beautiful, scenic, peaceful, friendly and lovely.
The island’s bus service drew praise in 6% of comments, and 4% singled out the quality of food and service in local restaurants.
Roads were the most common gripe, raised in 5% of comments, with visitors reporting roadworks, too much traffic and a lack of signs making it tricky to find their way around.
A further 5% mentioned events and attractions they had enjoyed, among them Liberation Day and the Cobo Balcony gigs, and sites including Hauteville House, the Bathing Pools, Castle Cornet, the German Occupation Museum and the Little Chapel.
The average visitor stayed 4.4 nights, marginally down on the 4.5 nights recorded last year. More than 40,000 of them booked into a hotel, up 12% year-on-year.
Leisure remained the main draw, cited by 54% of staying visitors, followed by 27% here to see friends and family and 12% travelling for business or work.
Day trips have grown again, with nearly 16,000 visitors coming for a day, up almost a quarter on last year.
Counting all arrivals, including cruise and yacht visitors, the island welcomed 96,045 visitors in the quarter – 6% up on last year, but still 6% below the 2023 total.
The figures come from the States’ quarterly travel and visitor accommodation bulletin. Visitors arriving by cruise ship or yacht were not surveyed and not included in the satisfaction score.
‘We’ll be back,’ say Teesside visitors
Two new arrivals to the island this week were keen to agree with new research showing how visitors are loving the holiday experience this summer.
Jo and John Thompson are taking time to travel during their retirement and said 'lovely' Guernsey was a ‘no-brainer’ for their latest trip.
‘We only came yesterday but we are loving it here so far,’ said Mrs Thompson.
‘Everyone here seems really friendly,’ said Mr Thompson.
The pair spent the morning of their first full day in the island at the North Show.
‘It’s been a really nice, relaxed, fun day,’ said Mrs Thompson. Mr Thompson thought what they had seen of the show so far was ‘brilliant’.
Staying in St Peter Port, the couple have also enjoyed browsing the shops in town.
‘It’s compact and not too touristy,’ said Mrs Thompson. ‘It doesn’t feel like we’re interrupting anyone’s work being here.’
Having previously visited Jersey, they enjoyed the variation among the Channel Islands. ‘It’s a different atmosphere.’
‘We would definitely come back to Guernsey. It’s so easy to get to and you don’t even need a passport,’ said Mr Thompson. From Teesside, their journey to Guernsey was about three hours, flying from Teesside International Airport with a stopover in Jersey.
The couple are planning to extend their island-hopping for the rest of their holiday, with Sark and Herm on the cards.
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