A new Chair is set to bring a wealth of national tourism industry experience to the board of Visit Isle of Wight, the Island’s destination management/marketing organisation (DMO).
Directors recently voted unanimously to appoint David Curtis-Brignell MBE as the new Chair of the organisation.
Succeeding Ian Griffiths
It follows the resignation earlier this year of Ian Griffiths, who was the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Visit Isle of Wight since 2019 and helped to guide the company through the pandemic and then onto success in achieving Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) status with VisitEngland.
A vast wealth of experience
David Curtis-Brignell comes to Visit Isle of Wight with a vast wealth of experience in travel, tourism, destination management organisations and the hotel sector at a local, regional and national level, as he explains,
“My career has been all about tourism, starting in local government, then working in – and later alongside – the national Tourist Board, gaining commercial experience in international hotel companies and tour operators – but perhaps the most rewarding times have been when working in Destination Management Organisations (DMOs). These are at the very heart of the visitor economy. They shape the destinations they serve and work in partnership with stakeholders to create a thriving visitor economy.
“Visit Isle of Wight is among the most highly regarded DMOs in England and it will be a genuine pleasure to work with and support Will Myles and his team to further develop our relationships, opportunities for businesses and meet the challenges and targets ahead, which I’m sure we’re going to face.”
Curtis-Brignell: The Isle of Wight is an amazing place to promote
David says he is particularly pleased to be working to help the visitor economy on the Island,
“The other attraction to me personally, is of course that the Isle of Wight is an amazing place to promote.
“You’ve got the range of attractions, both natural and built, the history and the heritage, your events programme and not forgetting the wide range of accommodation and food and drink.
“So, all of this, combined with a genuine sense of welcoming, is something that everyone should be proud to be part of.”
Visit Isle of Man
David is currently on the non-executive board of Visit Isle of Man [the other UK island which holds UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Status], has been Chair of the Tourism Society twice [the only person to have done so], was deputy CEO of Visit Kent/Visit Herts, Steering Group Chair of English Tourism Week as well as previous roles with travel trade for the English Tourist Board [now VisitEngland], and marketing and sales in the tourism sector.
He says that he will bring these experiences to Visit Isle of Wight, to help benefit the Island’s visitor economy,
“Whilst the destinations I’ve worked with over the years have varied – large and small coastal and urban towns, counties and yes, other islands – they have all shared common themes and challenges. And with this comes the opportunity to use best practice and bring those experiences to the Isle of Wight.
“I’ve also been lucky to have had involvement with major events including those which target local residents, not just visitors, and I have also been active in hotel development; however, for the most part it has been marketing, communications and the development of partnerships with stakeholders that have been a common thread running throughout.”
Curtis-Brignell: Congratulate Will and the team for the work they have done
David congratulated Visit Isle of Wight on the recent award of Local Visitor Economy Partnership for the Island with VisitEngland, and says the importance of LVEP status is part of the Island’s road to success,
“I was delighted to be part of the 2021 Du Bois review into England’s DMO structure which led to the creation of Local Visitor Economy Partnerships and it is a sign of Visit Isle of Wight’s achievements and status that the Island has been awarded this important recognition by VisitEngland. I think it’s worth stressing that this is not something which is easy to attain and I do congratulate Will and the team for the work that they have done, on behalf of the Island’s businesses, to get to this point.
“My very first duty as Chair was to attend, with Will, a VisitEngland strategy day focused on the creation of a new England strategy. The Isle of Wight has a seat at this table and Island businesses have a voice in the room as a result. It will bring opportunities in the future that other places will not be offered because they have not achieved LVEP status.”
Working hand-in-hand with its businesses and other partners
David concludes by emphasising how businesses and Visit Isle of Wight can benefit by working together,
“A successful Destination Management Organisation works hand-in-hand with its businesses and other partners – local authorities, transport, heritage and all the other organisations that make up a successful place. In order to represent and promote our businesses we have to have a close and trusted working relationship.
“We must be in constant dialogue. We need to know what the challenges are. We need data from businesses so we can see how the Island is performing as a destination and we need participation in research activities and marketing campaigns.”
Myles: Heartfelt thanks to the former chair
Will Myles, MD at Visit Isle of Wight says,
“I am very glad to be working with David as the Chair of the Board of Directors at Visit Isle of Wight, the wealth of knowledge and experience he brings is second to none, which will ultimately benefit the Island’s businesses in the visitor economy.
“I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the former chair Ian Griffiths, whose leadership and good counsel proved invaluable in helping steer Visit Isle of Wight through the turbulent waters of the pandemic, see the renewal of the Wight BID for a second term and to achieve LVEP status for the Island.”
News shared by Simon on behalf of Visit Isle of Wight. Ed
