As anticipated in last month’s update, ferry passenger numbers rose by 17% in April, bringing an additional 3,636 visitors to the island compared to April 2024. This growth has helped turn the year-on-year deficit into a 2% increase, equating to just under 1,000 more passengers overall. With Easter falling in April this year, a boost in visitor numbers was expected, which is why it's important to assess March and April figures together.

The most significant growth was seen on the St Malo route. Thanks to Brittany Ferries’ new schedule - featuring convenient day-trip sailings from St Malo - passenger numbers surged by 83% in April alone, and are up 63% year-on-year. This upward trend is expected to continue into summer, especially around key French bank holidays such as Thursday 29th May, when around 750 passengers are forecast to arrive from St Malo.

Meanwhile, the drop in ferry passengers from Jersey is primarily due to limited service availability. However, numbers are expected to rebound from June onwards, with Islands Unlimited launching daily sailings between Guernsey and Jersey from 30th May.