Attendance at the 2017 TT and Classic TT combined rose to 61,272 - an extra three thousand over the previous year. The Classic, part of the Festival of Motorcycling, attracted 16,218 - almost three per cent up on 2016 but 90% up on 2009 when the event was first held.
A statement from the IoM Department for Enterprise revealed that visitors to the two events spent £44m. The Festival alone contributed £10m of which £1.3m went to the Government.
Minister for Enterprise, Laurence Skelly, commented: "Capitalising on the potential contribution the TT races and the Festival can make to the Isle of Man's economy is an integral part of our overall tourism strategy to grow and develop the sector."
There was no further comment on the precise details of that strategy following the failure last year to engage with a commercial promoter, nor on the renewal of the TV contract which was due to be announced pre-Christmas. The contenders are rumoured to include the current contractors, North One, and Greenlight Television, a previous holder.