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% in 2017 from 292,328 to 266,850 - the lowest figure in a quarter of a century.

Of these 158,249 travelled by air, and 108,601 by ferry.

Visitor numbers have fluctuated in recent years.

From a figure of 348,229 in 1985, 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 then rallied but the last time they were above 300,000 was in 2006.

VISITORS

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. There were 85,623 visitors staying with friends or family, 48,157 business visitors and 3,210 day trippers.

These figures compare with 2016 when 134,674 stayed in paid accommodation, 97,048 stayed with friends or family and there were 58,157 business visitors and 2,452 day trippers.

The passenger survey report, which was published by the economic affairs unit of the Cabinet Office, shows the average length of stay of visitors to the island (including business visitors) was estimated at 5.1 nights, which is a 2.6% increase compared with 2016.

Despite lower overall visitor numbers, the estimated total expenditure by visitors to the island during 2017 increased by 5.6% to £112.6m, and average visitor spend increased by 23.4% to £448.

However, this rate of increase may in part be attributable to improved data collection methods applied to visitor expenditure.

During 2017 the proportion of visitors from the North West of England (28.8%) was comparable to 2016, although the proportion of visitors from the South East declined slightly. Visitors from outside the UK and Ireland continue to increase.

The report shows 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.

Of those 687,981 departures, some 420,000 were island residents.

A total of 408,771 departures were by air, and 279,210 by sea.

The majority of residents leaving the island were either travelling to the North West of England (36.1%) or outside of the UK and Ireland (27.0%).

Information contained in the report relates only to scheduled departures and does not include charter flights, cruise ship passengers and pleasure craft.