Gibraltar expects 2022 season to be ahead of pre-pandemic levels

Gibraltar has reported a strong summer season and continued interest from the UK family market after a visitor boost during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The country was one of the few to remain on the UK’s green list for approved overseas travel during the pandemic, raising its profile among consumers who may not previously have considered it.

Speaking at World Travel Market in London, minister for business, tourism & the port Vijay Daryanani said he was buoyed by the ongoing interest, with visitor numbers expected to be up both on last year and pre-pandemic.

He said: “Prior to the pandemic, in the summer months we tended to lose some of the leisure market due to the variety of choice, but that hasn’t happened this year.

“Younger families started coming during the pandemic when we were one of the few destinations open, and we have seen that continue.”

He added: “Last year was a great advert for Gibraltar and our reputation as being small and not having enough to do was shown to be a myth.”

Daryanani said the government of Gibraltar continued to target tourism growth, including increased engagement with the travel trade.

It is also aiming to return to pre-pandemic levels of cruise visitors in 2023, having ended the summer season 15% behind 2019 numbers.

“It is clear there are many challenges ahead for the UK market, including the cost of living and rising interest and mortgage rates, but we do not see ourselves in the mass space and we remain confident of further growth,” Daryanani said.

Other focuses include increasing available hotel stock, he added, with the Indigo hotel project underway and discussions with other investors over boosting four and five-star product ranges.