The latest Passenger Survey Annual Report shows the island had a slight drop in tourists over the last 12 months.
While the report states that direct comparison with 2023 isn’t possible, it does show a drop in the number of visitors in 2024, until cruise figures are added in.
The Isle of Man welcomed 329,613 visitors in 2024 including 307,934 general visitors and 21,679 cruise passengers, whose combined spending reached £212.04 million.
In 2023, the number of visitors is recorded as 315,812.
The drop in total visitor numbers comes despite the fact that 2024 data covers a full 12 months, while the 2023 figures covered only April to December.
Comparison
“Unless otherwise stated, 2023 data is not a direct comparison to 2024 due to 2023 only being based on April – December and 2024 being a full 12 months,” the report notes.
Still, 2023 recorded 315,812 general visitors, more than the 12-month figure reported for 2024.
Average visitor spend rose to £663 in 2024, and the typical length of stay was 5.04 nights, generating a total of 1.62 million bednights. Cruise passengers spent far less on average—£75 per person—bringing in £1.88 million.
Visitors
Holidaymakers made up 39.9% of all visitors, while 38.4% were visiting friends or relatives and 21.6% came for business.
Serviced accommodation remained the most popular paid option, used by 45.7% of visitors, though a significant 35.8% stayed with friends or family.
Visitor satisfaction was notably high: “98.7% of all visitors felt that their trip to the Isle of Man had met or exceeded their expectations.” The majority—62.5%—said it met expectations, while 36.2% said it exceeded them.
Tourism activities also remained strong, with 61.0% of visitors taking part in outdoor pursuits, and 25.0% visiting Manx National Heritage sites. A further 22.7% travelled on heritage railways.
The vast majority of visitors—87.5%—came from the British Isles and Republic of Ireland, with just 12.5% arriving from overseas.
You can read the full report here.
Visit
Deborah Heather, CEO of Visit Isle of Man, commented: “The 2024 visitor figures are a testament to the success of a collaborative, industry-wide approach focused on sustainable growth, high quality experiences and strategic marketing.
“We are delighted with the outcome, particularly in light of the challenges faced throughout the year.
“Adverse weather conditions affected both the Isle of Man and our primary feeder market, the UK, whilst additional hurdles included an early Easter, connectivity issues both locally and nationally, price increases driven by global forces, and ongoing economic uncertainty impacting consumer confidence and spending.
“Despite these obstacles, visitor spending exceeded £210 million, and satisfaction levels remained consistently high, clear indicators that our long-term strategy is delivering.
“Some of this success is also owed to the Island’s growing recognition in the press. 2024 highlights include being named among Conde Nast Traveller’s Top 10 UK Islands, listed as one of Wanderlust’s Top 10 Best European Islands, and most recently, featured in BBC Travel’s global ’25 Best Places to Travel in 2025’ list.
“Sustaining a strong presence in the minds of potential visitors is a key priority for Visit Isle of Man, and the impact of our efforts is becoming increasingly visible.
“Our commitment remains unchanged: to build a resilient, year-round visitor economy that brings lasting benefits to everyone who lives, works, visits and invests in our island.”
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