Latest quarterly data shows thousands more French tourists visiting Guernsey compared to last year

Guernsey has enjoyed a substantial rise in French visitors and general day-trippers during Q2 of 2025, according to the latest Travel and Visitor Accommodation Bulletin. This quarterly data provides information and statistics on travellers into and out of the island, as well as the accommodation they stayed in during their visit.

The data shows there was an increase in more than 5,000 French tourists visiting Guernsey than in Q2 2024 (which saw approximately 7,000) – a 74% increase in the overall number of visitors from France compared with this time last year. This helped to largely offset a decrease in ferry visitors from Jersey during this period, resulting from changes in inter-island services.

According to these latest figures, approximately 12,000 general day-trip visitors arrived in Guernsey by aeroplane or ferry – a 12% rise in the numbers compared to Q2 2024. While Guernsey’s net promotor score (NPS) – a calculation used to determine the percentage of travellers who rated their visitor experience highly – went up eight percentage points to 68, compared with 60 in Q2 2024. There were also approximately 1,300 more visitors arriving by yacht than this time last year – an annual increase of 22% and nearly 50% compared to two years ago.

In Q2 2025, 64% of all staying visitors to Guernsey stayed in hotels, 22% stayed with friends or family, and 14% stayed in other accommodation. There were approximately 1,800 units of visitor accommodation throughout Q2, with an occupancy rate that increased from 54% in April to 79% in June 2025. These figures are slightly down from the same period last year, which saw a 62% occupancy rate from April 2024 to 79% in June 2024.

This is the tenth Guernsey Quarterly Travel and Visitor Accommodation Bulletin, which uses data gathered via surveys of people leaving Guernsey alongside data provided by visitor 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 of the Committee 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.”