Guernsey sees significant rise in French tourism during Q2 2025
- Guernsey has experienced a 74% increase in French tourists compared to Q2 2024.
- Day-trip visitors also rose by 12% for the same period.
- Net Promoter Score for visitor experience increased to 68%.
- Occupancy rate for visitor accommodations rose from 54% in April to 79% in June 2025.
Guernsey has reported a remarkable increase in French visitors during the second quarter of 2025, as detailed in the latest Travel and Visitor Accommodation Bulletin.
This quarterly report provides data and statistics regarding travellers to and from the island, alongside accommodation information.
According to the data, over 12,000 French tourists visited Guernsey, marking a 74% increase from approximately 7,000 in Q2 2024.
This growth contributed significantly to offsetting a decline in ferry passengers from Jersey due to adjustments in inter-island services.
Additionally, approximately 12,000 day-trip visitors arrived on the island by plane or ferry, reflecting a 12% increase from the same quarter in the previous year.
Furthermore, an increase of 1,300 yacht visitors (22% more than last year) indicates nearly a 50% growth compared to two years ago.
In terms of accommodation, 64% of staying visitors utilised hotels, while 22% stayed with friends or family, and 14% used other types of lodging.
The total number of available visitor accommodation units in Q2 was around 1,800, with the occupancy rate increasing from 54% in April to an impressive 79% by June 2025. However, these figures are marginally lower than last year, which recorded a 62% occupancy in April rising to 79% in June.
This release marks the tenth edition of the Guernsey Quarterly Travel and Visitor Accommodation Bulletin. This bulletin employs data collected through surveys of departing visitors and information sourced from accommodation providers and Guernsey Ports.
Hannah Beacom, Chair of the Tourism Management Board, said: “The April to June period is a strong indicator of what we can expect to see during the rest of the tourist season, and there is clearly some very positive news to gleam from this latest data.
“The Board welcomes the significant rise in visitors from France – a huge benefit from the deal struck between Brittany Ferries and the Committee for Economic Development. I’ve personally noticed a far greater prevalence in French being spoken around St Peter Port and in other tourism hotspots within the island, which is wonderful to hear as we continue to build stronger ties with our French neighbours.”
Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, President for Economic Development, said: “This latest data shows that the previous committee’s decision to appoint Brittany Ferries has helped strengthen Guernsey’s ties with France, which is visible through the substantial increase in French visitors in Q2.
“While inter-island connectivity was reduced during this period, we’ve worked to support the reestablishment of a regular inter-island ferry service through Islands Unlimited, which started operating in June – and we look forward to witnessing the number of visitors from our neighbouring Channel Island increase again during Q3.
"We also continue to engage in discussions with Jersey and DFDS to ensure a reciprocal rotation as we know it’s important for both of our communities – thanks to the strength of our business, cultural, and sporting ties.”
More headline data:
Total passengers departing Guernsey reached 161,198 in Q2 2025, a 3% increase from the previous year, although it remains 6% lower than two years ago.
The number of residents leaving the island rose to 69,669, which represents a 15% increase compared to Q2 2024 and a 4% increase against Q2 2023.
Cruise ship visitors decreased significantly, with only 11,982 arriving in Q2 2025, a reduction of 63% from Q2 2023. Only 24 cruise ships docking in this period compared to an average of 28 in previous years.
Visitors from Jersey decreased by 10%.
The number of passengers travelling by plane in Q2 2025 was 4% higher than 2024 and 3% higher than 2023. The number of passengers travelling by ferry was 16% higher last year and 14% higher than the year before that.
Comments ()