A rise in visitor numbers to the island has been welcomed.

The latest Passenger Survey reveals that visitor numbers increased by 0.8% last year, to 308,263.

And figures from the previous year’s survey which appeared to show a large slump in visitors have been recalculated, suggesting that rather than dropping 8.9% in 2017 from 292,328 to 266,850 - the lowest figure in a quarter of a century - they actually went up to 305,800.

But it is not all good news as the number of non-business visitors staying in paid accommodation fell last year by about 1,000 or 0.7%.

During 2018, there were 145,738 passengers staying in paid accommodation on the island, 98,910 staying with friends or family, 59,565 business visitors and 4,051 day trippers.

Visitors staying in paid accommodation totalled 146,800 in 2017, up from 139,500 in 2016 and 135,600 in 2015.

Resident travel increased by 0.2% to 382,993. For both residents and visitors, the increases are accounted for by a rise in air travel of 5.2%. Total sea travel in 2018 fell by 6.0%.

The figures for 2017 have been amended following additional data released by the Steam Packet.

The latest survey, published by the economic affairs division of the Cabinet Office, also indicates that spend had increased to £489 per visitor, a growth of 12%.

Minister for Enterprise Laurence Skelly MHK said: ’The visitor economy is a vitally important sector of the Isle of Man and I am pleased to see the figures mirroring the clear investment we are seeing in the industry around the island.

’Last year we saw the vast majority of indicators suggest that 2018 in visitor terms was a positive year of growth and confidence and it is encouraging to see this reflected in the restated visitor numbers.’

Mr Skelly was delighted to see the number of visitors staying in paid accommodation approaching levels last seen in 2000, prior to the foot and mouth outbreak and the cancellation of that year’s TT .

Ranald Caldwell, chairman of Visit Isle of Man - the government agency responsible for tourism, said: ’This announcement is a positive recognition of our new agency’s efforts to better understand and serve the tourism sector of the Isle of Man.

’The increase in visitor numbers and the increase in spend are clear indicators that we are moving in the right direction.’

Figures used in the survey are estimates based on interviews with passengers leaving Douglas harbour and the airport.

The information contained in this passenger survey relates only to scheduled departures and not unscheduled charter flights, cruise ship passengers and pleasure craft.

There has been a change to the weighting methodology for sea passengers, with the data for 2016, 2017 and 2018 now distinguishing between those on the first leg of a return trip and those on their return sailing.

A press release issued by the Department for Enterprise notes a number of recent hotel developments including the expansion of the Ramsey Park Hotel, opening of the Comis Hotel at Mount Murray and outline planning consent granted for a Travelodge on Lord Street.

But the new Premier Inn now close to completion on Market Street, Douglas, will not be open in time for the TT as originally hoped.

The hotel chain’s website confirms that the opening date will now be July 8.