The number of visitors traveling to Guernsey for leisure increased by more than 500 people compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Almost 1,200 visitors were from France in the first quarter of 2026 – a 60% increase compared with the same period last year, and an 82% increase compared with 2023.
Walker said: “For the tourism sector, rising bed nights and longer average stays translate directly into commercial opportunity.
“The challenge now is to sustain this momentum through peak summer season and beyond.”
There were 169 visitors who arrived by yacht – 23% fewer than three years ago – while there were no cruise ship visits at it was out of season.
Of a total 26,631 visitors to Guernsey – up 2% compared to the first quarter of 2023 – 9,623 visitors said they were seeing friends or family.
A further 3,845 visitors cited “other reasons”, with 18% of those mentioning “sport”.
Figures showing how likely visitors were to recommend the island to a friend or relative reached its highest score to date, the States said.
Accommodation occupancy also improved across the quarter, rising from 38% in January 2025 to 42% in January 2026, further reaching 49% by March 2026.
The quarterly data bulletin provides information and statistics on travellers into and out of the island, as well as the accommodation they stayed in during their visit.
January’s occupancy figure is the highest since records under the current methodology began, tourism leaders said.