Manx Grand Prix visitors below pre-pandemic levels

Visitor numbers for this year's event were 14,229, compared to 16,019 in 2019

Visitor numbers for the Manx Grand Prix have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, the island's enterprise minister has revealed.

There were 14,229 visitors in 2024, some way short of the 16,019 who came in 2019 for the Festival of Motorcycling, which then included the Classic TT.

In October, the government announced that brand would be re-introduced next year in a bid to attract more motorsport fans to the island.

It was last week revealed that the move would, which will extend the event from nine to 13 days, would cost two departments an additional £150,000.

'Significant feedback'

In 2013 the Classic TT was launched to run alongside the Manx Grand Prix (MGP), held under the Festival of Motorcycling umbrella name.

But the government scrapped the TT element of the event following a review after the coronavirus pandemic.

Between 2016 and 2019 visitor numbers fluctuated between 15,627 and 16,218, but fell to 14,130 in 2023.

Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston said following "significant feedback" on the reduced MGP event programme, the government had decided to revert to the "long-established fortnight period".

The festival, which has been running since 1923, marks the second major annual motorsport event on the island.

This year's TT festival saw 67,000 passengers travel to the island during the period, although it is not clear how many of those travelling during the period were island residents.

Ronaldsway Airport recorded 30,000 passengers while the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company had 37,000, an 11% increase on 2023.