Visit Isle of Wight, alongside the Isle of Wight Council, has been awarded the Confederation of Passenger Transport’s (CPT) prestigious Coach Friendly accreditation, recognising the Isle of Wight’s commitment to welcoming coach visitors and providing high-quality facilities for group travel.
CPT’s Coach Friendly accreditation is awarded to destinations that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting coach tourism and providing a positive experience for operators, drivers and passengers.
Assessment criteria include accessible pick-up and drop-off facilities, clear coach signage and directions, driver amenities, consideration for passengers with mobility needs, and dedicated local support for operators.
The award was presented to Visit Isle of Wight CEO, Dominic Wray and Isle of Wight Councillor Julie Jones-Evans on behalf of Island businesses at Osborne House, a top attraction for coach parties, on Wednesday 17th June as part of the national Better Transport Week.
Andy Shaw, the CPT’s Coaching Manager, said:
“With its stunning coastal scenery, fascinating heritage and laid-back vibe, the Isle of Wight is an enduring popular destination for coach tourism.
“Coach operators and passengers get a warm welcome on the island and can be confident of great facilities at top visitor attractions. We’re delighted to add the Isle of Wight to our list of coach-friendly destinations.”
Coach tourism plays a significant role in the UK visitor economy, generating around 450 million passenger journeys annually. Research commissioned by CPT found that coach passengers contribute more than £8 billion each year to local economies through day trips, overnight stays and international tourism.
Dominic Wray, Chief Executive of Visit Isle of Wight, said:
“This accreditation is a fantastic endorsement of the island’s tourism sector and the strong partnership working taking place across the destination. Coach tourism is incredibly important to the Isle of Wight, supporting local businesses, accommodation providers and visitor attractions throughout the year, particularly during the shoulder seasons.
“Through our Group Friendly Travel Guide and ongoing engagement with tour operators, Visit Isle of Wight continues to promote the excellent facilities, experiences and warm welcome
available to coach groups. This recognition reflects the dedication of our tourism businesses and partners who work hard to make the island an outstanding destination for group travel.”
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Chair of the Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure Committee at Isle of Wight Council, added:
“We are proud to work alongside Visit Isle of Wight and the tourism sector to achieve this important recognition. Encouraging coach travel supports the Council’s wider Transport Plan by promoting more sustainable and efficient ways for visitors to travel around and to the Island.
“Coach tourism helps reduce congestion, lowers carbon emissions per passenger and supports our ambitions to create a transport network that benefits both residents and visitors. This accreditation demonstrates the progress being made through partnership working and reinforces the Isle of Wight’s reputation as a welcoming, accessible and sustainable destination.”
The award has been announced during Better Transport Week, a national celebration of sustainable travel, and complements the recent nomination at the 2026 Group Leisure and Travel Awards last week, where the Isle of Wight was recognised in the Best Destination for Groups category for the fourth consecutive year.
