Visitor figures a 'wake-up call' for tourism chiefs

Minister criticised by East Douglas member

A sharp decline in Island visitor numbers should act as a wake-up call to tourism chiefs, an MHK is claiming.

Chris Robertshaw says an 8.9 per cent drop during 2017 is both ‘sad and disappointing’ and needs to be addressed as a priority.

The East Douglas member – a die-hard critic of the user agreement - believes the Steam Packet Company can’t serve tourism under its current ownership structure.

And he has also criticised the Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly.