Guernsey's visitor economy continues to perform strongly, with Q3 visitor numbers up 7% year-on-year and visitors more likely than ever to recommend the island. Alongside this positive performance, VisitGuernsey strengthened its travel trade presence through a return to World Travel Market, supported the launch of a new Visions Holiday Group Channel Islands programme, and continued to build collaborative partnerships across the Channel Islands and wider island destinations. This edition also highlights activity at the Route du Rhum, ongoing No Man Is an Island wellbeing initiatives, and the 70th anniversary of Sarnia Hotels.
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Visitors more likely than ever to recommend Guernsey
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VisitGuernsey Returns to WTM with Strong Industry Engagement
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Channel Islands strengthen joint tourism message ahead of WTM London
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VisitGuernsey attends Route du Rhum with Brittany Ferries
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A new Islands collab
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Multi-Island visitor economy talks
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Mental Health Awareness Training at the Bathing Pools
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Visions Holiday Group Launch
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Sarnia Hotels celebrates 70 years of investment in Guernsey
119,664 visitors came to Guernsey in Q3 2026 by plane, ferry or yacht, up 7% on the same time last year and up 16% on three years ago, with visitors also more likely than ever to recommend Guernsey to a friend or relative.
Accommodation occupancy levels were also higher in the months of July (84%), August (84%) and September (82%) than the respective months in 2025.
Read the latest bulletin here.
VisitGuernsey returned to World Travel Market in London this November as an exhibitor for the first time since 2018, combining trade meetings, networking events and media engagement to maximise destination visibility.
Jo Ferguson, Marketing Manager at VisitGuernsey, said:
"Returning to WTM as an exhibitor has been a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with the travel trade, strengthen existing partnerships and introduce Guernsey to new audiences. The quality of conversations throughout the show was extremely encouraging, and the additional events and networking opportunities enabled us to significantly extend our reach beyond the exhibition floor. We look forward to building on these connections in the months ahead.
VisitGuernsey shared a wealth of new developments and positive news, alongside strong visitor performance figures. The team showcased Guernsey's growing portfolio of artisanal and authentic island experiences, highlighted upcoming events including the Big Eat Food Festival, and outdoor adventures such as snorkel trails and Sark sunset sailings. Discussions also centred on VisitGuernsey's wellness-focused campaigns 'No Man is and Island' and the ambitious programme of activity being developed to mark 2027 Millenium European Year of the Normans celebrations across the Channel Islands.''
VisitGuernsey and Visit Jersey joined forces at this year's World Travel Market (WTM) London to showcase the Channel Islands as a compelling multi-island destination, hosting key trade partners aboard the Sunborn Yacht for a breakfast briefing.
The event brought together new and existing partners to hear about future plans for both islands, including developments and experiences expected to shape the visitor offering through 2027 and beyond.
The collaborative approach reflects a growing recognition that the Channel Islands can achieve greater impact by working together to promote the region while celebrating the distinctive character of each island.
VisitGuernsey took part in the Route du Rhum for the first time this October, joining Brittany Ferries on their stand to promote the Islands of Guernsey both to French and international visitors attending the festival.
The Route du Rhum is a transatlantic single-handed yacht race that takes place every four years, connecting Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe. The race includes professional and amateur competitors, and has become a significant event in international sailing, attracting an estimated 1.5 million spectators to St Malo.
It was an excellent opportunity to introduce the Islands of Guernsey to new audiences and grow our visibility in France alongside Brittany Ferries. The stand proved to be very popular and Guernsey was also featured on French radio broadcasting at the event, with a chance to win a trip to the Islands.
Tourism leaders from across the Bailiwick, including VisitGuernsey, Sark Tourism and Visit Alderney, met to discuss new opportunities to strengthen the islands' collective visitor offering.
The meeting provided an opportunity to share current challenges, exchange ideas and insights, and identify opportunities to work more closely together. While each island faces its own priorities, there was a real sense of collaboration and mutual support, reinforcing the value of working collectively to strengthen the visitor experience and promote the Bailiwick as a diverse and compelling destination.
Continuing our theme of closer inter island working, earlier this week VisitGuernsey attended the first Multi-Island Visitor Economy Think-Tank. Hosted in Jersey, by the Jersey Hospitality Association, it brought together tourism and hospitality leaders from Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man to discuss shared challenges and opportunities for closer collaboration.
We left with joint actions including how we can share information, link events and cross-promote our Islands as well as working together to promote ourselves in a more joined up way, which can only be a good thing for our visitors.
We plan to meet quarterly and keep the conversation flowing between our catch ups.
As part of our No Man Is an Island campaign, Guernsey Mind will be delivering the next FREE mental health awareness training session on 18 November at 17:30 at the Bathing Pools.
If you or members of your team would like to take part, please contact victoria.allen2@gov.gg to book a place.
Visions Holiday Group is expanding its destination portfolio with the launch of a brand-new Channel Islands programme with VisitGuernsey. We've supported the launch with a joint marketing campaign, materials, and we're excited to see this new partnership develop.
The launch has a personal connection for David Kilby, Sales Specialist at Visions Holiday Group, who was born and raised in Guernsey.
“The islands have always been incredibly close to my heart, so I’m really excited to introduce them and share what makes them so special. Each island has its own character and there is so much more to discover than people perhaps realise. We want to give agents the confidence to sell the Channel Islands and illustrate to clients that an incredible holiday can be much closer to home than they think.”
Read more here.
Sarnia Hotels, the family-owned group behind Best Western Moores Hotel, Best Western Hotel de Havelet and Les Rocquettes Hotel, is celebrating its 70th anniversary, marking seven decades of family ownership, investment and contribution to Guernsey’s hospitality industry.
Sarnia Hotels was founded in 1956 by Jack and Ella Parker, alongside their daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and Andre Sendlhofer, while they managed Moores Hotel. The group has since expanded its presence on the island, acquiring Hotel de Havelet in 1971 and adding Les Rocquettes Hotel to the portfolio in 1996.
Read more here.
