Travel Costs to Isle of Man Real Barrier to Tourism Growth, Says MHK

19th May 2022

The visit Isle of Man strategy was unanimously backed by Tynwald members. Above the Isle of Man Steam Packet's fastcraft Manannan departing Dublin Port on the seasonal service to Douglas Harbour. The Steam-Packet also operate Belfast/Liverpool and Heysham (year-round) routes to the Manx capital. Credit: Dublin Port-twitter

Travelling costs to the Isle of Man is a "real barrier" to plans to grow annual visitor numbers to 500,000, an MHK has said.

A new Visit Isle of Man strategy aims to see the sector contribute £520m to the economy annually by 2032.

But Michelle Haywood MHK said ways to tackle the issue of travel prices were "missing" from the document.

Enterprise Minister Alex Allinson said an increase in visitors would bring the cost of travel down in the long term.

In the strategy, the government agency acknowledged the cost of travel was a challenge to achieving the target, but outlined plans to develop package holidays.

The document also said increased capacity on the new Isle of Man Steam Packet Company ferry (Manxman) which is due to come into operation 2023. In addition the opening of the new Liverpool ferry terminal would improve the island's travel links.

The BBC News has more including cost of air travel.

Last month, Afloat reported on the Steam-Packet resumption of seasonal routes, among them out of Belfast and Dublin.

Published in Isle of Man

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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