We can see an interesting shift in action when looking at the current retail and leisure landscape on the Isle of Wight. A move towards a more digital lifestyle has led to opportunities for creating more value on the local high streets as well as in our home-based leisure activities.
The Rise of Digital Reward Systems
Consumers now have more reasons than ever before to look for special offers, as well as more ways of doing so. With all of the leading supermarkets and retail giants having their own loyalty schemes, this has become an important part of our financial lives across the UK.
We can also see this approach when enjoying online leisure activities, such as these exclusive bingo offers for new players. By picking up free bingo games and the chance to win boosted prizes, newcomers can quickly see what this way of playing is like. Returning players then get the chance to collect other offers as a reward for their loyalty.
This kind of rewards scheme can also be seen across the Isle of Wight in a variety of ways. The Wightlink MyLink and My Red Funnel Rewards offer the chance to get useful transport offers. Meanwhile, the Isle of Wight Tomatoes Rewards scheme gives consumers three points for every £1 that they spend.
The likes of the Go Shop Local App and Character Inns App provide other examples of how local businesses are connecting with their customers. The Price is Wright is a platform that brings together a range of deals including food, getaways, beauty and local events.
The Evolution of the Local Tourism Strategy
It’s interesting to see that the latest visitor information from the likes of Visit Isle of Wight has a strong focus on the digital landscape as a way of delivering offers and benefits. While the natural attractions remain a huge part of the appeal, the ease with which visitors can grab special offers online makes it even more appealing.
The likes of ferry discounts when booking accommodation online help reduce the cost of getting here on a low-cost break. Of course, visitors can also enjoy some of the other digital deals that locals use, whether that’s through a nationwide scheme that can be enjoyed here or one of the local offers that visitors can also take advantage of.
It’s also good to see that Visit Isle of Wight has increased stakeholder engagement through the BID LIVE platform that has recently been launched. Among the key aspects, it will include digital updates and online sessions, giving local business leaders the chance to incorporate their digital efforts as part of an overall campaign to make their services more accessible.
The fact that going digital can drive better value for consumers and more traffic for businesses is one of the reasons why this approach has been gaining ground. We can expect to see a greater emphasis on digital value and offers in the future, both locally and through the national schemes that have been growing steadily.
