IoM visitor survey shows growth in local economy during TT Races

Credit: ITV Granada

This year's TT races were worth more than £37 million to the Isle of Man economy.

It's estimated over 44,000 people travelled to the island to watch the races - with over 16,000 of them visiting for the first time.

The main findings of the results were:

  • 44,367 visitors came for the TT in 2018 – a 1.5% decline compared to 2017 but a 4.6% increase compared to 2016.

  • On average, visitors stayed 6.7 nights on the Island in 2018 and spent £886 on the trip. Total expenditure of TT visitors in 2018 is an estimated £37.1 million. This represents a contribution to Manx National Income of £26.8 million and an Exchequer Benefit of £4.8 million.

  • The event attracted both new visitors as well as regular fans: 36.5% had not visited previously for the TT, while over 36% also visited for other motorsport events such as the Festival of Motorcycling and the Southern 100.

  • The number of visitors to the Island for TT peaked on Sunday 3rd June reaching 26,600.

  • 50 different countries of residence were recorded in the survey with the number of non-UK visitors increasing by almost 50% to an estimated 9,317. The majority (78.5%) were from the UK and Ireland with 21% from outside the UK.