The Department of Economic Development has responded to the 2014 Isle of Man Passenger Survey which revealed a 13% increase in leisure visitors to the Isle of Man in 2014 over the previous year.

The survey also revealed that on average visitors spent ?388 per visit, with an estimated total expenditure of around ?108 million in 2014. This amounted to ?23.2 million being spent on accommodation and ?51.1 million being spent on attractions, restaurants and other areas in the Isle of Man.

Minister for Economic Development Laurence Skelly MHK commented:

‘Leisure visitors are the primary focus of our marketing and promotional efforts so it is good to see that this activity is paying off with such a positive increase in numbers. This is the 6th year of continuous growth in leisure visitors, which is great news for both our visitor economy and our overall economy.

‘To date this year we have already generated ?1 million of positive publicity for the Island through a number of successful press visits, TV coverage and advertising campaigns, with much more scheduled for the year ahead enabled by increased budget for marketing activity.

‘For example we are undertaking a number of campaigns including the current one featuring in the Daily Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk/isleofman) which is being done in conjunction with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.’

‘We appreciate that the drop in certain visitor markets are affecting the overall visitor numbers. There was a continued decline in the number of business visitors to the Island last year. However this is a trend experienced by other jurisdictions and represents a small percentage in terms of our overall visitor numbers.

Some of this reduction may have been caused by a drop in the number of short term contracting and construction jobs on the Island, reflected in the significant drop in the number of work permits that the Department has issued in recent years.’

Another area that the Department is addressing is the fall in the number of those classified as visiting friends and relatives in the Island. The VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) Market is a key focus for its 2015-16 promotion with plans already underway to harness the reach of PR and advertising campaigns in conjunction with partner offers to encourage friends and family to visit the Island.