Brittany Ferries has said that the number of people arriving at a UK port from France has more than halved after Brexit.
Portsmouth ferry port saw 338,000 arrivals in 2019 but only 155,000 in 2022.
The ferry company has claimed that “Brexit-related friction” including a need for passports was a considerable factor. However, sailings to and from Ireland, within the European Union, had seen increased business.
Brittany Ferries said most lost visitors were French holidaymakers, including student groups.
According to the BBC, Spokesman Nigel Wonnacott said: “We used to have loads of coaches parking outside with happy schoolchildren enjoying Portsmouth, going up to London and we really don’t see much of that anymore.
“Post-Brexit, French travellers are required to travel [to the UK] with a passport so it’s expensive for them to get a passport because it’s about 90 euros (£78), and it’s also a big administrative burden.”
Brittany Ferries said many French visitors had switched to its sailings to Ireland.
Last year saw a 30% increase in passengers travelling on its routes between Ireland, and both France and Spain, compared to 2019, the firm said.
