The post-covid British staycation boom looks to be fading but one island, recently voted as the UK’s best, is continuing to increase visitor numbers.
Following the covid lockdowns, British holiday destinations saw a short-term boost as foreign travel restrictions forced holidaymakers to look inside the British Isles for their getaway.
However, as restrictions have eased and foreign resorts have opened their doors, UK holiday-lets are reporting a significant fall in bookings over the summer period, a problem made worse by a cost-of-living crisis and poor UK weather this summer.
But there is one British island bucking the trend.
Recently named the best UK island in the 2024 Conde Nast’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Jersey has seen a rise in visitors to its shores with a 17 percent increase in the number of holidaymakers from January to May.
Tricia Warwick, chief executive of Visit Jersey, which promotes the island, told the BBC that Jersey saw 98,900 holidaymakers from January to May this year, an increase of 14,100 leisure visitors on the 84,800 in the same period last year.
Whilst the summer months are naturally an easy sell to prospective visitors, as favourable weather allows the island to be explored easily, it is the period either side of the summer that Visit Jersey hopes to increase arrivals.
Ms Warwick said: “We’re working on what you can do to make it a compelling reason to come here off season.”
Referencing the wealth of outdoor activities, historical sites and culinary delights, Ms Warwick added: “All that kind of stuff is what we’re talking about building the momentum of.”
It is easy to see why summertime visitor numbers are up in Jersey – a self-governing dependency of the United Kingdom.
The island boasts stunning beaches with clean water allowing for relaxation and water sports amidst beautiful scenery which includes towering cliffs, sheltered bays and pebbled coves.
Either side of summer the island has plenty of untapped potential to offer tourists. The island’s farms and fisheries serve the freshest produce to the restaurants across the island whilst its stunning scenery is able to be explored all year round.
In inclement weather, there is plenty for tourists to do out of the elements, with Jersey Zoo, the war tunnels, several museums, Mont Orgueil and Elizabeth Castle all popular offerings.
With direct ferries to the island operating five days a week and flights from as little as £37, Jersey might just be the perfect autumnal getaway that you hadn’t thought of.