Visitors up by 20 per cent at bumper TT

Figures released today (Monday) have put the value of the TT to the Manx economy this year at well over £23 million.

That's four million up on 2010 and reflects an increase of more than 20 per cent in the number of visitors to the festival.

According to a Treasury survey, TT 2011 brought in 37,700 visitors who spent an average of £620 each, contributing an overall £23,374,000 to the economy.

A figure for the cost of staging the TT isn't yet available, but is in the region of £3 million.

For the first time, the TT has been run by the Department of Economic Development.

Minister Allan Bell says the TT's earning potential has been exploited in many ways this year: