Final TT ferry passenger figures for this year’s festival fortnight were on a par with last year, with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company carrying 35,000 passengers and 11,200 motorcycles to the Island between May 22nd and June 7th.
Aside from the 2007 centenary, TT2012 was the Company’s busiest festival for a decade and Chief Executive Mark Woodward says matching those figures this year shows how strong the TT brand continues to be.
Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘It’s an encouraging sign and evidence of the TT’s continued attraction for motorcycling race fans. The main statistic to consider is the number of bikes carried, as passenger figures include all inbound numbers, including residents returning home.
‘Looking ahead to the new-look Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling later in August, which now encompasses the Manx Grand Prix, advance bookings are currently around 500 motorcycles or 24% up on bookings at this point last year for MGP2012. We’ll be doing everything we can to ensure bookings remain strong over the next couple of months and we can all look forward to a successful first Festival of Motorcycling.’
John McGuinness at Keppel Gate