Condor says ferry bookings for car passengers look set to return to pre-pandemic levels this year.

The ferry firm says forward bookings on services between the UK, France and the islands are running slightly ahead of 2019.

It's putting that down to increased consumer confidence and a joint marketing effort with tourism bodies and what it calls the growing popularity of its new UK tour operator business.

‘The initial demand for bookings is very encouraging and shows that people are looking to travel once again in greater numbers than we have seen for a few years. It is early days of course, but it is pleasing to see that the interest returning and it is a good start to the season." - Justin Amey, Condor’s Head of Marketing.

However, the firm says numbers for foot passengers 'remain challenging', especially from France post-Brexit.

Condor is running a marketing campaign in partnership with Visit Jersey and Visit Guernsey.

50 regional travel journalists are being invited to to visit the Channel Islands to write about their experiences and encourage people to holiday here.

Mr Amey says the company is also looking at developing 'package break' offers for Channel Island travellers.

"We launched our travel business, Condor Breaks, last year to target UK consumers and after a steady start, the past few weeks have seen a real surge in interest for combined hotel and ferry bookings.

We are now exploring opportunities to provide Islanders with the hotel and ferry packages to France and the UK, so are hopeful that the success of last summer, coupled with the positive figures for this year, offers optimism that 2023 could be a good season for everyone."