\n<\/p>\n
The number of tourists travelling to Guernsey is up since three years ago – but business traveller influx has decreased in the same time period, new figures say.<\/p>\n
A quarterly bulletin which outlines travel and accommodation figures has shown 5,676 leisure visitors to the island in the first quarter of 2026 – up 16% in three years.<\/p>\n
However, there were 7,048 business visitors, down 21% in three years, and also down by 18% on last year.<\/p>\n
Charlie Walker, co-chair of the States’ Tourism Advisory Board, said the figures were “encouraging”, while a 60% jump in visitors from France showed Guernsey’s appeal was “broadening”.<\/p>\n
The number of visitors traveling to Guernsey for leisure increased by more than 500 people compared to the first quarter of 2025.<\/p>\n
Almost 1,200 visitors were from France in the first quarter of 2026 \u2013 a 60% increase compared with the same period last year, and an 82% increase compared with 2023.<\/p>\n
Walker said: “For the tourism sector, rising bed nights and longer average stays translate directly into commercial opportunity.<\/p>\n
“The challenge now is to sustain this momentum through peak summer season and beyond.”<\/p>\n
There were 169 visitors who arrived by yacht – 23% fewer than three years ago – while there were no cruise ship visits at it was out of season.<\/p>\n
Of a total 26,631 visitors to Guernsey – up 2% compared to the first quarter of 2023 – 9,623 visitors said they were seeing friends or family.<\/p>\n
A further 3,845 visitors cited “other reasons”, with 18% of those mentioning “sport”.<\/p>\n
Figures showing how likely visitors were to recommend the island to a friend or relative reached its highest score to date, the States said.<\/p>\n
Accommodation occupancy also improved across the quarter, rising from 38% in January 2025 to 42% in January 2026, further reaching 49% by March 2026.<\/p>\n
The quarterly data bulletin provides information and statistics on travellers into and out of the island, as well as the accommodation they stayed in during their visit.<\/p>\n
January’s occupancy figure is the highest since records under the current methodology began, tourism leaders said.<\/p>\n
Follow BBC Guernsey on <\/em>X<\/a> and <\/em>Facebook<\/em><\/a> and <\/em>Instagram<\/em><\/a>. Send your story ideas to <\/em>channel.islands@bbc.co.uk<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nRelated internet links<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n