2010 ash cloud chaos had little impact on visitor figures

Thu, 26 May 2011

Visitor numbers to the Island weren't affected by the air traffic chaos caused by last year's Icelandic volcano.

The government has put out its annual passenger survey results for 2010.

They show a very slight increase in visitors.

Tourists spent around £90m in total. This is £5m less than in 2009, but still pretty much in line with 2008.

The biggest change last year appears to have been in the number of Manx people travelling to and from the Island.

The report says the volcanic ash cloud was to largely to blame for a fall in air passengers of 17,000.

The number of people travelling by boat went up by 5,000, but it still means there were around 12,000 fewer trips made by Island residents.