Visitor numbers close in on pre-Covid levels

Visitor numbers in Guernsey have almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, with the island welcoming 81,681 visitors in the second quarter of 2026, excluding yacht and cruise ship passengers.

That was just 545 fewer than the 82,226 recorded during the same period in 2019.

New figures also showed a sharp rise in holidaymakers choosing to stay in the island. Overall, 65,714 visitors stayed at least one night in Guernsey, a 13% increase year-on-year.

The latest Travel and Visitor Accommodation Bulletin found day trip visitor numbers also increased. Some 15,967 people arrived by plane or ferry without staying overnight, up 24% on the previous year.

Visitors also appeared more enthusiastic about recommending Guernsey to others than ever before.

The island's Net Promoter Score, which measures how likely people are to recommend a destination, reached a record 77 in the second quarter of 2026. That was up from 68 a year earlier and 64 in 2023.

Survey responses suggested many visitors viewed Guernsey as a "beautiful, scenic, peaceful, friendly and lovely place to visit".

Hotels also benefited from the increase in tourism. Almost two-thirds of overnight visitors chose hotel accommodation, with 42,313 people checking into hotels during the quarter. Occupancy rates reached 84% in June, up from 79% in the same month last year and the highest level since August 2024.

Sam Claxton, marketing manager at Visit Guernsey, said: "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."

He added: "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."

Visitors spent an estimated £149m in Guernsey between April 2025 and March 2026, averaging £530 each, according to the latest Guernsey Visitor Expenditure Survey Report. The study covers people arriving by plane, ferry, cruise ship and, for the first time, private yacht.

The biggest share of spending was on accommodation at £39m, followed by travel to and from the island at £35m and eating and drinking out at £27m.

UK visitors accounted for 72% of all spending, contributing £106m, while visitors from elsewhere spent £24m.

Air passengers spent the most on average at £693 per visitor, compared with £487 for ferry passengers and £46 for cruise ship visitors.

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