The number of visitors to the island last year fell sharply.

Figures revealed in the latest passenger survey show that total visitors dropped 8.9 per cent in 2017 from 292,328 to 266,850 – the lowest figure in a quarter of a century.

After holding steady from 2015 to 2016, the number of non-business visitors staying in paid accommodation decreased in 2017 by 3.6% to 129,860.

The passenger survey report, published by the economic affairs unit of the Cabinet Office, show that total scheduled passenger departures – including residents, holidaymakers and business travellers – increased over the year to 687,981 in 2017, compared with 675,048 in 2016.

Back in 1985, visitor numbers totalled £348,229.

In the following years, they fell steadily to a low of 237,379 in 1992 but then climbed back up again until 2001 when tourism was hit hard by the cancellation of the TT over the foot and mouth crisis.

Numbers rallied but the last time they were above 300,000 was in 2006.

* For more on this story see next week’s Examiner.