Visit Jersey has recently announced a 16 per cent increase year-on-year of holiday leisure visitors, to 413,200, the highest number since 2001.

Some 52 per cent of these were first-time visitors to the island, demonstrating the huge business potential for agents selling domestic breaks.

The figures highlight a marked increase in visitors to the island, largely due to the success of a new destination brand initiative and support and from our travel industry partners. 

To inspire even more visitors to discover #theislandbreak, Visit Jersey has increased trade commitment, hosting FAM trips, incentives and agent training.

The recently launched trade education programme, The Island Break, is designed to excite and engage travel agents.

This interactive game aims to assess and improve agents’ knowledge of the Island and guides users through a range of training levels, each designed to represent an element of Jersey life.

Agents who top the charts are in with the chance to experience the island first-hand, winning the ultimate FAM trip for themselves and a colleague.

Agents can also earn bonus points by logging bookings to Jersey, or by sending it on to a colleague to increase their chances of winning.

Sarah Barton, head of trade, Visit Jersey, commented: “Visit Jersey understands the importance of the travel trade and I’m delighted to be leading on a number of exciting initiatives that we have coming up for UK agents to experience the island first hand and maximise their product knowledge.

“The travel trade plays an essential part in driving visitors to Jersey and we are committed to supporting them in any way possible to maximise their earning potential on bookings made to our island.

“The recent success of Destination Jersey is the perfect example of this and we look forward to welcoming more of our trade partners to experience Jersey first hand whilst networking with suppliers in the coming future.”

As a small island with an intriguing blend of English and French influences, Jersey is closer to France’s Normandy coast than to the UK.

An escape to the island blends familiar English environments with a dash of European flair to create an experience combining rich countryside, breath-taking coastal views, sweeping beaches and hidden-away bays.

The island enjoys excellent connectivity to the UK.

Holidaymakers can fly to Jersey from numerous UK airports in around an hour, or by ferry.

With over 40 departure points to Jersey across the British Isles and 12 flights a day from London airports, visitors can discover the island break by air or jump on the ferry with a car.