The 90th anniversary of the Manx Grand Prix and the new Classic TT are the key factors behind the 17% increase in motorbikes booked on the Steam Packet for this year.
That's the belief of the government's political member with responsibility for motorsport, Laurence Skelly MHK.
The Festival of Motorcycling takes place at the end of the month.
It incorporates the MGP, Classic TT, Manx Two-Day Trial and Manx Classic Trial.
Mr Skelly thinks that gives the festival a broad appeal:
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