Many thanks to Kevin for sending through a brief report from the Chamber of Commerce marketing launch this morning. Ed
Innovative plans to boost Island tourism were announced today.
The Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Industry set out its proposals to create the world’s finest destination marketing campaign, to an enthusiastic audience of members in the hotel and accommodation sector, at an event held at Bourne Hall Hotel, Shanklin.
The need for change was explained – national statistics show that more and more people are choosing to holiday in the UK this year, and yet the Island has been suffering from lower levels of bookings and enquiries.
The Chamber has been working with partner organisations and members to make big improvements to the way the Island is marketed to attract visitors.
It’s plans include a new GoWight website, which will use video streaming – showing clips of Island attractions as well as video tours of accommodation.
The site will be backed up by a series of printed brochures and guides. The Chamber also announced that it was now close to an agreement with the Isle of Wight Council on joint working to promote the Island as a tourist destination.
The Council’s new head of tourism, John Metcalfe, told the meeting that the Council wanted to work with the Chamber of Commerce and would be submitting proposals to council members in a few weeks.
The Chamber’s new marketing campaign will aim to generate an additional £5 million of revenue, from at least 20,000 extra bookings.
