A challenging first quarter with bad weather contributed to an overall decrease in total departing visitors on Guernsey, according to the island's Office of the Committee for Economic Development.
Including cruise passengers and visiting yachtsmen, total visitor numbers decreased by 14.9 per cent from January to March 2018 (29,616 compared with 34,811 in Q1 2017), with the cancellation of two ships due to bad weather accounting for 1,300 shortfall.
Excluding cruise passengers and visiting yachtsmen, visitor numbers decreased by 12 per cent (29,330 compared to 33,484 in Q1 2017).
Total leisure visitors declined by 23 per cent (-2,046), while total staying visitors declined by 12 per cent (-3,124).
The number of those staying in commercial accommodation decreased by 16 per cent (-2,833), with a 16 per cent reduction in bed nights (-9,295). The average length of stay however increased by nine per cent (4.44 nights, compared with 4.09 nights in 2016).
There was also a decrease in business visitor numbers, with a 10 per cent (-846) decrease in staying business, with business day visits down 24 per cent (1,004). Leisure day visits also decreased eight per cent (-173).
Whilst there was an 18 per cent decrease in visitors from the UK (-4,631), the number of visitors from France increased by 63 per cent (407).
The number of visiting yachtsmen grew 31 per cent (67) compared with 2017. Visitors travelling by air decreased by 13 per cent (-3,805), those travelling by sea by seven per cent (-349).
The decrease in visitor numbers is being attributed in part to the poor weather both in Guernsey and in the UK, particularly in February and March.
Mike Hopkins, Director of Marketing and Tourism at the States of Guernsey, commented: “Whilst it is very disappointing to see a drop in numbers, following a four per cent rise in total visitors during 2017, it is important to note that Q1 represents only a small percentage of the total visitors over the course of the year.
"With lots of activity kicking off in April surrounding the release of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, as well as a number of other events, the rest of 2018 looks more promising.”