Attracting more visitors to the Isle of Wight outside the traditional summer season has been identified as a key priority by Red Funnel and Island tourism businesses.
Accommodation providers, attractions and other Island businesses joined Red Funnel CEO Fran Collins and members of her team at the ferry operator’s latest Trade Customer Forum.
The event focused on ways to strengthen the Island’s visitor economy, including improving journeys to and from the Island, promoting local businesses and encouraging more people to visit throughout the year.
Discussions also centred on how Red Funnel and its trade partners can work more closely together to reach new audiences and showcase the Island’s hotels, restaurants, attractions and experiences.
Red Funnel said it continues to promote the Isle of Wight through television, digital radio, outdoor, social media and online advertising.
Its recent marketing activity has included a new television campaign featuring comedian and actor Diane Morgan, alongside press visits aimed at showcasing Island businesses and experiences.
Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, said:
“Our trade partners are experts in what visitors are looking for and what businesses across the Island need, and it’s great to be able to discuss what we can do together to make a difference.
Article continues below this advertisement “We all want to see the Island thrive, and part of that means giving more people more reasons to visit throughout the year, making it as easy as possible for them to get here and showcasing everything that makes the Isle of Wight such a wonderfully different place to live, work and visit.”
Businesses were also updated on work to improve Red Funnel’s travel operation.
The ferry company says extensive winter maintenance and vessel refits, alongside strengthened preventative maintenance and operational readiness, have resulted in improved reliability.
The forum also covered Red Funnel’s longer-term investment plans, including its fleet replacement programme and continued spending on existing vessels, digital systems, infrastructure and staff.
Red Funnel says feedback gathered through its Trade Customer Forum will help shape future work with Island businesses to improve the visitor experience and support the local economy.
