The Isle of Man Government’s Department of Economic Development is delighted with the results of the annual Isle of Man Passenger Survey, which has been published by Treasury’s Economic Affairs Division. The survey reveals that the total expenditure by visitors to the Isle of Man is now estimated at around £98 million, an increase of 8.7% on the figure of £90.5 million in 2010.
While both the Commonwealth Youth Games in September and the TT Mountain Course Centenary in May led to increased visitor numbers, it is encouraging to note that more generally visitor numbers were up in the first nine months of the year.
The survey also found that an estimated total of 299,778 visitors travelled to the Isle of Man during 2011, an increase of 11,990 (4.2%) on the comparable figure for 2010. Air arrivals increased in the second, third and fourth quarters and overall showed a growth of 4.2%, whilst sea arrivals also increased in the first half of the year compared to 2010.
Last year’s success was underpinned by a number of initiatives including special events, pro-active destination marketing, private sector accommodation investment and development of transport links. Leisure visitors increased from 102,954 to 104,692; however, the most satisfying results were those for visiting friends and relatives which increased from 109,320 in 2010 to 118,679 in 2011.
Geoff Corkish MBE, MHK, Political Member for the Department of Economic Development with responsibility for Tourism, said:
'The Department of Economic Development is forging effective working relationships with the industry and I congratulate the sector on its performance in 2011. The newly launched Visitor Economy Strategy will set out the direction for 2012 and we look forward to building on visitor numbers in future years.'
Colin Kniveton, Chief Executive of the Department of Economic Development added:
'I am pleased with these figures which provide recognition of the hard work that has been undertaken in difficult circumstances during the last couple of years. We have built a firm base upon which to move forward in all areas of the visitor economy and I am confident that we will see further increases in visitor numbers in the future.'
Copies of the Passenger Survey 2011 can be downloaded from the website: http://old.gov.im/treasury/economic/data/traffic.xml.
