When it was announced by Isle of Wight council (IWC) last week that Southern Vectis would be launching a new Tourist Information Service, a member of staff at one of the Island’s Tourist Information Centres left an anonymous comment in response to the news.
Going under the name Monto Karlo, the disgruntled IWC staff member claimed that for those who weren’t at work that day, the first they’d heard about the new service was in the press release published on VentnorBlog.
We got in touch with the council to see what they had to say about the claim, their response is detailed later in the article.
Lack of communication
In the meantime, if you missed the previous comment, this is what ‘Monty Karlo’ had to say in response to the news.
How dare they! TIC staff have suggested numerous innovative ways of revamping the service over the years and nothing has been done. Now, behind our backs, a deal has been done and those of us not working today have heard the news via VB – well done once again IOW Council on your staff communication.
Simplify the service by all means but for SV to say that this will offer bus passengers a “much improved”information service” is insulting to TIC staff who provide in-depth information about SV to visitors over the years thus saving their staff time and effort.
Councillors Pugh and Brown are the prime movers in this and should hang their heads in shame at what they’re decision will mean for visitors to the Island not to mention businesses. To publicly welcome this change when long-serving staff are about to lose their jobs is about as insensitive as it gets and tells you all you need to know about the people involved. (And by the way, since when was Newport an “entry point” to the Island? They don’t even understand the geography”¦..bodes well, doesn’t it?)
Several years ago SV closed down all but their Newport travel shop and TIC staff were on the receiving end of endless complains as well as picking up some of the services (like coach bookings) which SV used to provide. What’s to say the same won’t happen again when SV realise that providing a proper tourist information service isn’t quite as easy as they thought.
Council refutes claim
The council had a different take on the claim that staff were unaware of the changes.
John Metcalfe, Deputy Director, Economy, Tourism and Leisure, said: “In December, the council’s cabinet took the decision to stop the funding of its Tourist Information Centres. Staff had been informed of this proposed decision and also its implications at a meeting with senior management before the Cabinet papers were published.
“On 26 January, staff were further informed that plans were being developed by a private operator to extend its visitor information services.”
If you work at any of the current Tourist Information Centres and disagree, get in touch with VentnorBlog. Confidentiality assured.
Image: Hans_van_Rijnberk under CC BY 2.0
