ISLE OF WIGHT’S TOP TOURISM BUSINESSES RECOGNISED AT AWARDS CEREMONY

Last Thursday (31st January 2019) saw the Isle of Wight’s top tourism businesses celebrated at the annual Red Funnel myIsleofWight Awards – the Island’s only visitor-voted tourism Awards.

The event was held at The Cow at Tapnell Farm and saw the top 3 nominees from all 24 categories, split over 3 main categories – ‘Things to Do’; ‘Eat & Drink’; ‘Places to Stay’ – invited to a Festival-themed evening with a green message behind it.

With votes cast throughout 2018 by happy customers and visitors to the Island, over 100 nominees attended to find out who had scooped the prestigious top spot.

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This year saw some new businesses nominated, including 4 who made it into the top 3 of their category: The Borneo Pantry, Holly Tree House, Glory Art Glass (who make the handmade glass awards) and Freshwater Coffee House, who beat off stiff competition to win Best Cuppa and Slice of Something Nice.

New wins this year also included The Cow scooping The Ultimate Burger title and Nettlecombe Farm winning 2 awards Best Place for a Shindig and Cosiest Hideaway.

The Garlic Farm won 3 awards: Best Pit Stop Whilst Out Adventuring, Best Gastronomic Experience and myIsleofWight Local Produce Champion.

myIsleofWight Editor Alix Robinson said:

“Each year the awards event follows a theme that celebrates our unique Island. This year the Awards echoed the Island’s rich and vibrant connection to all things festival. Even the location of the Awards event at Tapnell had a unique connection to this heritage, overlooking the site of the original Isle of Wight Festival.
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“The Island is truly the birthplace of the British festival, from the first ever Isle of Wight festival in 1968, through to the 1969 & 1970 events – the latter being the biggest festival ever held in the UK – which paved the way for the creation and birth of other iconic UK festivals such as Glastonbury.
“This affinity continues to this day with a myriad of events and festivals taking place on the Island, and new ones being added to the line-up every year.”

In line with Red Funnel’s new “Red Goes Green” environmental strategy, the event also had an eco-message. Ever-conscious of the Island’s beautiful environment, the event encouraged people to have an eco-friendly festival experience. With top tips on the tables as well as myIsleofWight stainless water bottles for guests to take away and reuse all summer at their favourite events, the event helped to show nominees how to be green without breaking the bank or expending too much effort.

Fran Collins CEO Red Funnel said:

“Now in its eight year, the Red Funnel myIsleofWight Awards are a great opportunity to showcase some of the Island’s best tourism businesses, whose innovation and exceptional standards have made a lasting impression on visitors.
“The event was a huge success and the theme this year reflected Red Funnel’s continued commitment in supporting the Island’s thriving event and festival scene, whilst simultaneously echoing our Red Goes Green environmental and sustainability strategy. My congratulations to all the deserving winners and well done to all the nominees. What an amazing opportunity to come together and celebrate the best of the Island.”

Voting will open for the 2019 myIsleofWight Awards on 1st March at www.myisleofwightawards.com.