The BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards shortlist was announced this morning (Thursday) and the Isle of Wight has been nominated for one of the top accolades.
The Isle of Wight is being recognised for its offering to the many thousands of visitors each year, featuring in the category of Holiday Destination of the Year.
It is now down to a public vote and Visit Isle of Wight is asking us to vote for the Island to take the top prize.
In the 2019 Countryfile Magazine Awards, the Island won over the public in 2 categories of Best British Beach and Best Village, with Sandown Bay and Bembridge taking the majority of votes in the high profile competition.
Will Myles, Managing Director at Visit Isle of Wight says it is fantastic to be nominated:
“We who are lucky enough to live here know that the Isle of Wight is a incredible place. There is something for the visitor all year round, from fantastic beaches, amazing events, brilliant attractions, beautiful towns and villages.
“Being recognised for the holiday destination of the year by BBC Countryfile Magazine just shows what we’ve got here and shows why we are up there again with all of the destinations in the UK!”
Will says that the competition will be fierce and had this rallying cry:
“We’re up against some tough competition, from Anglesey, Essex, the Severn Valley and Orkney, so we can’t sit back and hope we win, but that’s not what we do here on the Isle of Wight. We need to get everyone behind us, we need everyone to vote for the Isle of Wight, so get on to the BBC Countryfile website and vote for the Isle of Wight because we all know that we are the holiday destination of Britain”.
Panelist and Countryfile presenter Tom Heap says:
“I see a lot of the country in my job but judging these awards really opened my eyes to further beauty spots and admirable green schemes. So much more to discover!”
The scheme to reintroduce the white tailed sea eagle has been shortlisted in the Wildlife Success of the Year category.
Will Myles says their work on the Island is an important part of that success:
“It was great news that the white tailed sea eagles are being reintroduced on to the Island and has raised so much profile of the Island. Hopefully, they’ll be loving the air and our sea eagles will continue to go from strength to strength!”
To vote for the Isle of Wight as Holiday Destination of the Year, go to https://countryfile.awardsplatform.com/entry/vote/vRqdDVJD?category=59073.
Is the White Tailed Sea Eagle Reintroduction in the Wildlife success Category on the Island to?
But we have lost thousands of tourists due to the extortionate ferry prices & unreliable service! The island is dying, and at the moment there are far better places to go on the mainland, with more things to do!
Let’s try to bring positivity to the island every visitor we can attract will help.
Agreed, Ruby. If we lose tourism, we will lose a part of what makes the Island unique and special.
It’s not a good destination when ferries are so expensive and unreliable
If we can sort out all our travel from ferries to black cab taxi prices and not return bus fares then more of our families would regularly visit. It’s such a beautiful island with the most caring community I’ve known. But it costs alot for a weeks holiday xx