The Department of Economic Development’s annual visitor survey for the TT has shown another positive year for the Isle of Man TT.

The key findings of the 2016 study were:

• Just over 42,000 visitors came for the TT in 2016 – in line with the number in 2015.
  
• On average, visitors stayed 6.6 nights on the Island and spent £738 on the trip. Total expenditure of TT visitors in 2016 is an estimated £31.3 million. This represents a contribution to Manx National Income of £22.5 million and an Exchequer Benefit of £4.1 million.
  
• The event attracted both new visitors as well as regular fans: 26% had not visited previously for the TT, while 22% also visited for other motorsport events such as the Festival of Motorcycling and the Southern 100.
  
• The number of visitors to the Island for TT peaked on Sunday 5th June reaching just over 26,000.
  
• Over 40 nationalities were picked up in the survey. While the bulk (86.6%) were from the UK and Ireland, 9.4% came from Europe and 4.0% from further afield.
  

Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for the Department of Economic Development commented:

‘I would like to thank our Motorsport Team at the Department and our many partners in Government, as well as the private and voluntary sectors, for continuing to deliver a top class event with huge economic benefit to the Island’s residents.

‘The figures this year show a trend towards a more balanced distribution of visitors across the event. Similar to a mature business, delivering big growth numbers for an established event is particularly challenging without significant new investment and additional resource. Comparable visitor numbers to 2015 also show that transport challenges in 2016 were largely overcome. These are positive results and show the further potential for the event.

‘These results support our strategy to grow the TT when there is capacity. The Department remains convinced that Vision Nine can help us deliver further growth. So important is this single event to the tourism calendar, any single change to the TT must be carefully considered at every stage before implementation. I am confident that the decision to maintain the Department’s responsibility for TT2017, before handing over to Vision Nine, will be in the best interests of the Island in the long term.’

David Cretney MLC, Member of the Department with responsibility for Tourism and Motorsport also commented:

‘The results of this year’s visitor survey continue to highlight both the event’s lasting appeal for repeat visitors as well as the potential for further growth. In 2016, for the TT alone, we have successfully delivered £4.1 million back to the Treasury, with much of the £31.3 million visitor spend going directly to local businesses. We believe we can build on this fantastic achievement and deliver further growth in both the TT and the Festival of Motorcycling.’

In 2011, the Department implemented a new marketing strategy for annual motorcycle events. The result of this has been both increased numbers of visitors and increased visitor spend on Island. In 2016 26% of visitors had not previously visited for the TT which represents over 11,000 people new to the event and 1 in every 4 people a potential new repeat customer.