Fewer visitors came to the Isle of Wight last summer but they spent more money with local businesses, the Isle of Wight’s tourism boss has revealed.
Around £280 million was forked out on the Island, by tourists, between 1st October 2022, and 30th September 2023.
Higher spend
Speaking at the Isle of Wight council’s regeneration scrutiny committee last night (Thursday), Will Myles (Managing Director of Visit Isle of Wight) said more than 1.96 million visitors came to the Island during that period.
Comparing it to 2019 — the last year that was not impacted by the Covid pandemic — £275.8 million was spent on the Island and 2.1 million tourists visited.
Mr Myles said the fact there was more spend, but fewer visitors was the “strange part of it all”.
Goal to recover pre-pandemic visitor levels
He said it was the tourism board’s goal to recover visitor numbers to pre-pandemic levels and also increase them.
Visit Isle of Wight is now part of a national programme which allows it to help shape tourism policy across Britain.
Love: Cuts needed to ferry fares
Councillor Karl Love said the ferry fares needed to be made cheaper so more people would come to the Island, especially when competing with cheap flights to Europe.
When comparing the Island’s tourism numbers with similar major coastal tourism destinations, Mr Myles said “we are sitting alongside a competitive set and doing OK.”
Overall, tourism equates to 30 per cent of the Island’s economy, Mr Myles said.
Accessibility improvements
One of the key issues, the tourism board is working on is making the Island more accessible for tourists with disabilities.
Visit Isle of Wight will be working with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower charity and delivering training to Island businesses on how to help people.
Accessible beach access in Ryde
It is also working with Ryde Town Council to provide accessible beach access, in time for summer.
Councillors asked what work was being done to extend the season and encourage businesses to be open in the off-season as different audiences will come to the Island at different times.
Walking festivals attract new audience
Mr Myles said holding walking festivals outside of the peak season is helping to attract a new audience.
He revealed a third of the Island’s tourists visit outside of the main summer season, which they were looking to increase, but also said attractions and hotels needed to be open.
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
