Dissatisfaction with the cost and reliability of travel have been highlighted in a passenger satisfaction survey.

The online survey about travel and tourism in Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man was conducted by Island Global Research in May and June this year.

There were 2,447 respondents to the survey, of which 674 were in the Isle of Man. It found more than 90% of residents in the three islands had travelled for leisure purposes in the last 12 months.

A third of Manx residents, and a half of Jersey and Guernsey residents had travelled for business in that same period.

Some 85% of Isle of Man residents had travelled by air and 71% by ferry in the last year.

Cost of travel is the main concern, with 39% of air travellers and 55% of sea travellers saying they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the price of fares.

’Many of the comments referred to how expensive it can be to get off the island, especially at short notice and during the TT,’ the survey report notes.

Some respondents suggested standard or reduced rate fares to help ease the cost.

The survey also found room for improvement with reliability, with 25% of air passengers and 14% of sea passengers saying they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied.

It notes: ’There was some appreciation that flights and ferry crossings are susceptible to external factors such as weather, and that this is part of island life.

’It was noted how concerns about reliability can impact on the cost of a trip, such as including an overnight stay to ensure connection for an onward journey.’

Choice of destination was not a major concern although some said they would welcome more direct connections and a wider choice of departure times. This included improved links to Ireland and Scotland. Departure times were important to business passengers.