A new minister with a portfolio for tourism has pledged to visit the Isle of Wight in 2023 following a request from Island MP Bob Seely.
Stuart Andrew MP, who is Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, accepted the invitation at 1 of his ministerial surgeries earlier this month.
Bob said:
“I’m keen that the minister visits us to see what a fantastic visitor economy we have on the Island.
“We have something very unique in terms of our tourism offer and I want us to showcase this nationally.
“It’s important that ministers, who are making decisions in Westminster which shape our future, are well informed so I am delighted he has agreed to visit in the New Year.”
Responding to the news, Managing Director of Visit Isle of Wight, Will Myles, said:
“The Isle of Wight is a strong tourism brand and is the destination of choice for over 2.4 million visitors each year, spending £350 million pounds.
Article continues below this advertisement “The economic impact of tourism on the Island is nearly half a billion pounds, so I welcome Bob’s discussions with the newly appointed Tourism Minister Stewart Andrew.
“It is a highly competitive marketplace out there for holidays, short breaks and day visits and 2023 and beyond will be even more competitive, we need to ensure that the Island’s tourism agenda is front and centre at DCMS and with the tourism minister and his team.
“It would be great to welcome him to the Island to show him how it is done along with the amazing product that we have here, all year round.”
It is hoped that the minister will be able to visit the Island in the Spring.
Get your cameras out Bob and his buddy are planning a photo shoot .. that’s all it will be, the last minister Dehanna Davison resigned after the meal with Bob .. I hope they visit Sandown and experience the burnt out dilapidated hotels .. they really attract the type of visitors we need .
“I’m keen that the minister visits us to see what a fantastic visitor economy we have on the Island”
I remember when we had seafronts that were for holidaymakers. Amusements, piers, pubs, hotels, nightclubs.
The piers have gone and the rest is either derelict or being replaced by swanky holiday / retirement apartments.
I hope they look at all the ferry cancellations and breakdowns this year alone. and the ridiculous prices… Then decide that the PEOPLE on this Island need a tunnel to be able to commute back and forth from the mainland. Plus then more tourism, cheaper crossing and much faster, more business more jobs.. win win every way. Plus Hampshire police could get here quicker in emergencies… stop treating this island as recluse for the rich…..
Does this council realise we are ruled on this island by DICTATORSHIP.. ? The ferries say when we can cross… but no passenger service late evening or overnight ? WHY..
I assume the visit is in 2023 so they can get a budget in place to pay for the ferry crossing, probably need to go to spending committee to get it approved.
Careful planning is needed .. will the ferries be operating? Can he get home ? And is the time of crossing available ? Don’t worry about the costs .. as it’s on expenses .. a few meals as well .. then a photograph shoot at County Hall, followed by seeing the town planners work, that’s makes the island look worse than Beirut/Syria .. it doesn’t not need to be this bad.. but with a functioning competent council and committed MP anything is possible ..
Here we go with Bob, stuff the visitors, the islanders need help Bob, wake up. What a loser this guy is.
This is an Island & should be respected as so. We do need ferry services which do focus on providing a reliable & value for money service. Those who wish for tunnels & bridges, should up sticks & move to the mainland now. As everything including the high crime rate will be knocking at your door very soon, should your wish ever become a reality.
When Bob brings his mate over, it should be booked at their expense to give a true sense of how ridiculously expensive & unreliable these ferry routes are now. If he actually feel the bite into his pocket & then try to do all the things a young family likes to do when on their holiday, without being able to claim expenses, it may be a realistic visit.
Wow, did not know you were so well off and not need to commute to work on mainland, just to feed the family here…We been here probably longer than your family, so why don’t you move off, make room for our kids..
To pay a visit but probably not ‘pay for’ a visit.
The prices of the ferries are unique, I give you that Bob.
Waste of time, as either there’ll be a new minister within six months or the whole lot of them will be whitewashed in a general election in the near future.
What’s the betting he cannot even afford the extorninate
Ferry Fares to come to the Island.
Then he will have to pay to park his vehicle, 24 hours a day parking fee on
Tourist Seafronts like Sandown and Shanklin etc!
Tourism, don’t make me Laugh
Maybe he is coming to the Island to attend a Barbeque with Bob!
Maybe he should book a flight over and around the island?????
Then he can see the extent of the concrete jungle jigsaw,,,,,,,
Slowly but surely joining the island into a sea of rabbit hutches….
Ooh maybe like to fly over our 1 Hospital , ooh and visit all our NHS Dentists ????¿??????..
Shouldn’t take long !!!!!
Tourism will soon die due to the pure ignorance of the planning committee …..
Seriously not worth the effort to vist !!!!!!
Greenfield space fresh air is what we the island need to continue Tourism not build build build …..
Well Bob’s PR team are on overtime now, with the endless jabber from Bob.. and now a CP column on “ IOW MP Strives to keep up the good work “ from the great man himself .. utter tripe .. at least with MP Turner he did nothing and kept a low profile, with Bob it’s all me me me .. and has nothing to show for it .. islanders please remember his lack of action and attention of the island at the next election.. thank you.
What tourism,there is nothing left ,it’s all houses now , I would not spend a £1000 plus for a holiday here now