A series of online information sessions targeting the Island’s vital tourism and hospitality sector helped bring understanding to a wide range of issues over the last few days.
The 6 sessions, organised and promoted by Visit Isle of Wight and the Isle of Wight Council, with help from the Chamber of Commerce, aimed to clear up much of the confusion around new Government guidelines ahead of the 4th July date when businesses can begin to operate again.
Over 250 Isle of Wight business owners booked to take part in the sessions, which ran between Thursday and Sunday last week.
Will Myles, managing director at Visit Isle of Wight said:
“I’d like to thank everyone who attended the sessions. Some interesting questions were raised, demonstrating that there is still some way to go, while we all settle into a different way or working and living.
“I’d also like to congratulate the tourism and hospitality sector who have taken the initiative and made some real inroads to being ready to open up”.
Feedback from the sessions was overwhelmingly positive, with many businesses able to pick up new tips, share their experiences with others, or feel more confident that they were moving in the right direction.
Council leader, Dave Stewart, said:
“I have been engaged with many different businesses over recent months and the common aspiration has always been to manage to survive through to a time when they could open up once again — and now that time has arrived.
“More importantly, those businesses want to prepare properly to be Covid-secure when they open and I’m delighted so many took the opportunity to attend our virtual seminars, aimed at helping the Island recover after the coronavirus lockdown.
“It was good to talk to Island businesses about the support we can offer them and the response following the sessions has been extremely positive.
“Our tourism businesses are ‘Good To Go’, part of a national scheme to encourage confidence for potential visitors who are looking to travel now and in the future.
“We are also working together with Visit Isle of Wight and the tourism sector to encourage visitors and guests to behave responsibly and take care of our Island — to respect and protect the Island as they enjoy its unique offer”.
Many Isle of Wight businesses have started to display the national Visit England ‘We’re Good To Go’ charter mark, which has been developed with the assistance of Visit Isle of Wight, who have been working at a national level to ensure the scheme’s success.
Will Myles added:
“I urge all Isle of Wight businesses to take part in the ‘We’re Good To Go’ scheme.
“When your business is successful getting that mark, please display it on all features of your marketing, and let’s see the entire tourism and hospitality sector on the Isle of Wight displaying the ‘We’re Good To Go’ logo”.
New information sessions on all important risk assessments for businesses, working with the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce and Isle of Wight Council are being planned.
Recordings of the session, with the presentations and links to relevant information are online at https://visitwightpro.com/2020/06/26/visit-isle-of-wight-isle-of-wight-council-industry-information-sessions/.
Great main photo on this article “THE ISLAND IS WAITING” for what, the second peak….