Around £340,000 extra could be spent over five years by the Isle of Wight Council as part of a scheme to boost tourism and support visitor marketing.
County councillors on the Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure Committee (ERTIC) will consider whether to support the Wight BID 3 proposal for Visit Isle of Wight (VIOW) next week.
The plan would provide a sustainable funding mechanism to support destination marketing, visitor economy growth and wider tourism development over the next five years, according to a council report.
What is a Business Improvement District?
BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) have their origins in 1970s Canada and subsequently became widespread in the USA as a way of businesses joining together to take action in support of their local economy.
Visitor destinations have used BIDs to support the tourism economy and, on the Island, Visit Isle of Wight (VIOW) was set up between the public and private sector to lead on growing this market.
Officers recommend backing the BID
County Hall officers are recommending the local authority backs the BID across all of its 40 eligible properties.
They say the new BID proposal provides the opportunity to secure and sustain the activities of VIOW in promoting tourism and underpin existing levels of private sector investment currently supporting growth.
Risks of not supporting the proposal
Their report says,
“VIOW has proved to be an effective public/private sector partnership that has helped promote the Island as a leading destination over recent years in competition with other major UK resorts.
“The impact of not supporting the BID could lead to the fragmentation of the Island’s joined up approach to tourism and significantly reduce the resources available to compete with other resorts at a difficult time for the Island’s economy.”
Extra cost for the council
It notes that while the proposal would provide substantially increased resources for destination marketing and visitor economy development, it also would lead to an increased annual financial commitment from the council.
Councillor must therefore weigh the expected economic benefits against the extra budget pressure, the document adds.
ERTIC members will consider the BID proposal at a County Hall meeting starting at 5pm on Tuesday evening (6th October 2026).
Leadership changes at Visit Isle of Wight
Last week, it was announced that VIOW’s chief executive, Dominic Wray, will step down after just seven months and there will be a leadership restructure.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
