With just a week to go until TT 2026 gets underway, the teams behind one of the Isle of Man’s biggest travel operations are preparing to welcome thousands of visitors to the island once again.

But for Duke Travel, the focus is not simply on bringing people to the TT races - it is about showcasing the Isle of Man as a destination in its own right.

From first-time ‘bucket list’ visitors travelling from America to loyal returning guests who have made the TT part of their annual routine, the company’s work stretches far beyond simply booking ferries and hotels.

Speaking ahead of TT fortnight, Peter Duke said the aim has always been to improve the visitor experience and encourage more people to discover the island properly.

Standing at the company’s growing accommodation village, which includes luxury cabins, glamping facilities and a large catering marquee, he said: ‘Our little village is actually the biggest hotel on the island.

‘When it’s fully operational, we have 400 guests here most of the time through TT. There’s over 1,000 people who go through the village here.’

The business expects to bring between 3,000 and 3,500 visitors to the island during this year’s festival through a combination of hotels, glamping sites and hospitality packages.

A major focus in recent years has been improving accommodation standards for visitors travelling to the island for the first time.

Peter explained: ‘Most of the bucket listers really do want a bathroom, a private bathroom, they want some privacy, they want a nice clean toilet, clean room etc.

‘I’ve always felt that’s been missing a bit at the TT over many years. It’s always been “they’ll come anyway”. But the idea is that we provide quality facilities.’

Fans can enjoy hospitality and ‘fanzone’ experiences at locations including Braddan, Hilberry, Braaid and Milntown, offering race viewing areas, catering, entertainment and facilities designed to make race days more comfortable and memorable.

The company also offers organised experiences including guided bus laps of the famous Mountain Course with commentary from past and present TT riders, as well as ‘Evening with...’ style events where fans can meet some of the sport’s biggest names.

The intention, Peter says, is to give visitors a different experience each day while also introducing them to more of the island beyond the racing.

‘People want to go somewhere different every day,’ he said.

‘But they want facilities, decent catering, proper toilets and places where they can enjoy the racing comfortably.’

That wider tourism approach has also seen the business promote year-round travel experiences, including distillery tours and multi-centre holidays linking the Isle of Man with Liverpool and Dublin.

Peter believes the TT remains the island’s greatest global advertisement, particularly with the upcoming Hollywood film Isle of Man beginning production during this year’s event.

He said: ‘What we’re going to get with the film is a sort of 50 or 60 million dollar advert for the TT and the Isle of Man - particularly the Isle of Man because we see all-year-round tourism resulting from it.’

The company has also seen a sharp rise in American visitors, with around a third of guests now travelling from the United States.

Despite the growth, repeat visitors remain hugely important to the business.

Peter said around 40% of guests are returning customers, with some groups having travelled over for years.

‘We’ve built up regulars,’ he said.

‘Some people try glamping one year, hotels another year, but they keep coming back because they love the island and the experience.’

And while TT remains the main draw, Peter believes giving visitors time to enjoy the Isle of Man itself is just as important as the racing.

‘We like people to be able to enjoy the island and experience other things other than motorcycle racing,’ he added.

‘People come for the TT, but they leave loving the Isle of Man.’