Record number of cruise passengers 'encouraging'

The Isle of Man has seen more cruise passengers visit in 2024 than any other year

Growth in the number of cruise passengers visiting the Isle of Man is encouraging for tourism firms and the broader local economy, the agency that looks after the sector has said.

Visit Isle of Man said the cruise sector continued to play "an important role in the island’s tourism trade" by helping to extend the visitor season.

Earlier this month the record for the overall annual number of passengers visiting was broken when Holland America Line’s Rotterdam stopped in Douglas, taking the season's total to 19,292.

The vessel's visit also set a new record for the greatest number of passengers to arrive on the Isle of Man in one day, with a total of 2,724.

The previous overall record of 17,933 was set last year.

The tourism body said the visits had "an immediate benefit" to the economy, with Cruise Britain - a network of cruise ports, destinations and service providers -estimating an average spend on the island is £70 per passenger.

'Growing momentum'

A total of 44 cruise ships are scheduled to arrive in 2024, with the last planned cruise liner for the year scheduled for October.

Activities scheduled for those visiting for the day include trips on the island's steam railway, visits to the Cregneash folk village and trike tours around the TT course.

A spokeswoman for Visit Isle of Man said passengers who choose to go ashore frequently "undertake opportunities to connect with our landscape and wildlife, fascinating heritage and the local arts community".

They also experienced "unique Manx experiences", which celebrated our island and benefited local businesses, she said.

The island continued to see "growing momentum" in enquiries and interest from the cruise sector, she added.