2024 is being hailed as 'a positive step in the right direction' for tourism in Guernsey but there is evidence of decline in the cruise ship sector.

States figures show 182,285 people stayed in Guernsey in 2024 for at least one night, which is a 2% increase on 2023.

Guernsey's Tourism Management Board estimate these holidaymakers brought an additional £2M to £3M into the hospitality economy compared to the year before. Hannah Beacom is its chair:

“The 2024 report shows that the year was one where we had strong successes in some areas and weaker performance in other areas.

"While the cruise sector had a challenging year, it is important to remember that our overall visitor performance is now improving year on year.

"While that growth is only by 2%, it is still encouraging in a challenging global climate."

The latest States' Travel and Visitor report shows numbers are down one fifth on pre-pandemic levels when 231,164 people stayed.

People tend to come for short breaks, with the average stay holding steady at five nights. The majority choose hotels.

The cruise ship sector saw a 55% drop in 2024, with 38,456 passengers getting off to see the island.

The TMB blame bad weather for some cancellations, on top of an already smaller number of bookings.

Hannah Beacom says changes put in place at the harbour mean some larger ships can now dock there, and Guernsey is working to increase its exposure to the European cruise market:

"I do not want to ignore the impact that the drop in cruise numbers will have had on some businesses that are reliant on those visitors.

"This is an area we are working hard on, and I am confident that the steps we are taking will pay off and see growth in this area as well in the coming years."