THERE is “no evidence” that the decline in visitor numbers Jersey saw last year was caused by changes in travel prices and vessel speeds stemming from the Island’s transition to a new ferry operator, according to the Economic Development Minister.
Deputy Kirsten Morel made the comments in response to a report by the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel, which has examined the government’s agreement with DFDS.
The Danish ferry firm started operating sailings between the Island, the UK and France in March 2025, having signed a 20-year contract.
In November, outgoing DFDS chief executive Torben Carlsen acknowledged that the start-up of the company’s Jersey operations had “proven harder than expected”, due to “a very short timeline” in the wake of changes to the tender process.
Among the findings of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel was that “visitor numbers to Jersey declined during the transition to the new ferry operator”.
It stated that: “High travel prices, slower vessel speeds, and operational challenges associated with the transition may further constrain tourism demand and create wider economic risks for the Island”.
But Deputy Morel said that there was “no evidence pointing to price or vessel speed as causal factors behind the decline in visitor numbers”.
He continued: “It is important to recognise that like many destinations reliant on UK travellers, Jersey saw a decline in both air (47,700 fewer) and sea (54,300 fewer) visitors during 2025 – this reflects low UK consumer confidence which was also mirrored in jurisdictions such as Ireland.”
Deputy Morel also pointed to legal action brought by Brittany Ferries after DFDS won the Jersey-only tender, following the breakdown of what had initially been a pan-island procurement process with Guernsey.
The minister contended that Brittany Ferries’ unsuccessful attempt to bring about a judicial review of the decision “significantly delayed” DFDS’s ability to market its new routes, “causing disruption to early bookings and tour operators in 2025”.
DFDS Jersey route director Chris Parker recently reported “strong growth” across the ferry operator’s Jersey services, alongside a “very positive forward booking position for the summer”.
It emerged earlier this month that DFDS has already booked over 135,000 passengers to travel with it to and from Jersey in 2026.
