The boss of Visit Isle of Wight, Will Myles, has resigned from his position just days after it was revealed that Summer tourism figures had dropped yet again.
Will’s sudden departure comes amid scrutiny over Visit Isle of Wight’s performance in recent years, with a continued downturn in visitor numbers and spend, as first reported by Island Echo.
Questions have been raised about the organisation’s strategy and impact, and Will’s ability to lead the destination management organisation (DMO).
It’s understood that key figures have been working behind the scenes to oust the leadership, with a new board appointed to lead Visit Isle of Wight into a new era earlier this month.
At the start of the month, the Chairman, David Curtis-Brignell, also resigned.
With the stark reality of the current situation laid bare, Will, who has headed up the DMO since 2018, handed in his resignation yesterday (Wednesday).
Mr Myles took over from David Thornton, who also ended up resigning back in December 2017. Will moved to the Island in 2013 and previously worked for UKSA, as well as Yorkshire Tourist Board, P&O Ferries and Vacansoleil.
In a statement, it has been said:
“The Board of Directors thank Will for his work and will begin the process of recruiting a new leader of the Island’s destination marketing organisation”.
One of the main reasons for the drop in tourism to the island is the ferry fares.
It is cheaper to fly elsewhere.
High ferries and not much to do now especially for teenagers,it’s all houses and supermarkets now
And in Ryde, charity shops, hairdressers and nail bars
You forgot vape shops – four of those!
Fares to expensive.
Ferries to unreliable.
Not a lot to do unless you like watch drunks and shoplifters.
Being ripped off not to bad abroad, but in your own country isn’t funny.
The list is endless.
You meant to say “too”.
I did lol,
And as yet I haven’t found an edit button
The island is full of English teachers
Lol
I cannot think of one reason why you would want to come over here for a holiday.
It’s expensive. dirty. empty shops, hotels falling to bit’s, poor transport,
expensive ferries, drug problem, nothing for kids to do and tourist shops screwing the pants of the tourist.
You must be living in a parallel universe.
and what is incorrect?
The island is one of the most beautiful places in the UK. There is plenty to do with children (teenagers less so maybe) but it’s so easy to moan isn’t it? Show me a place that doesn’t have drug problems these days. The transport is pretty good, plenty of good places to eat, walk, enjoy. Tourist shops screwing the pants off tourists? Where? Don’t use them then. Your only correct point is the ferries
I agree this place needs investment stupidly high ferry fares ? Lack of investment , why would people come here , it’s only corporate businesses keeping things alive , like people said things need to change build a tunnel ,we have one to France , it’s not a tax haven here it’s not guernsey or Isle of Man it’s nothing special ,swift action is needed , mostly derelict or run down ,cheaper to go to other places on the mainland which are just as nice ,why can’t people here see that , it’s becoming a victim of its own demise
Build a tunnel and more people will be able to come and enjoy the benefits a tunnel will bring.
They can watch their phones disappear into the pockets of awayday criminals, they can enjoy mingling with countless foreign youths outside their new easy access migrant hotels (just leave daughters behind), they can tour traveller sites and admire the rubbish piles, they can find peace sitting in traffic jams or benefit from the rich aroma of traffic fumes from the pavement.
All these amazing benefits just need a tunnel to be built. We should get started right away – I’ve got a spade…
A Tunnel or Bridge is a great idea.
Jersey is cheaper to visit
What a pointless and frustrating job he had. The hopeless IoW council are responsible for the slow demise of the island tourism, not this bloke. When the hopeless council are given ideas on how to stop it, they say no then do a half -arsed version of the suggestion some years later which doesn’t work. I would sack the lot of them.
Totally agree. It takes more than marketing to sell something; the “product” or experience has to be worth the money and memorable – for the right reasons. It must be disheartening trying to promote something which has faults. We love the island, we’d never leave but there are so many aspects which fall short. The council are amateurs..
The island is dead for tourism now. What a coward, rather than try to sort things out, make so discussion happen with the ferry companies and get a few more people over here. But like most have said, why come here.
With what? no money no improvements.the island been going dead for decades now its caught up with the fact its too late.
He could do with quitting puddings
DYELs are disgusting beings
On the back of two very bad summers (2023 and 2024), my guess is that people thought it not worth risking another. High ferry fares, lack of free and clean toilets and litter bins, high parking charges, run down seafronts, stale (at best) High Streets, all make the island an unattractive option.
As all have said too little too late no money no investment society has changed people don’t give a shit no more drink smoke drugs spit on the streets family values have gone,towns old broken dirty, scum people everywhere.Ferries are expensive/fucked, roads are fucked it’s just not a nice place now.Spend a bit moer go abroad for a much nicer time.
Visitor numbers in Cornwall were down 10% to 12% on last year, so IoW has not performed too badly. Numbers are down because people are skint.
That’s a Labour Government for you, they look after
persons on benefits and m igrants.
Doesn’t matter who takes this job on it will have the same outcome, Unless the ferry companies reduce their fares, council’s are as much to blame for the excessive parking charges and the after 6 pm greed grab. Lot’s of attraction’s have disappeared over the years and most of the ones left have had no upgrades ( with the exception of a couple who have spent a vast amount of time and money with great success ) holiday parks most of which are rundown or full of owners who very rarely use the islands attractions… Such a shame for a beautiful place.
Why waste money employing such a person
It doesn’t matter who is in charge of tourism
on the island it is going to fail.
There are so few reasons
Extortionate ferry fares
Extortionate toilet charges
After 6pm parking charges along seafronts
Overpriced eateries and hotels etc etc
Derelict buildings islandwide.
I could go on and on, but enough is enough
Yes I forgot about the pay to pee..
I would never pay the fee.
When are you leaving?
It’s a tempting thought, but where else
would I read about numpties on a daily
basis speeding, drink or drug driving
IT IS WHAT THE ISLAND DOES BEST!
Poor guy. It’s ferry costs pure and simple.
Quite simply it is cheaper and probably better value to go elsewhere rather than pay excessive ferry fares.
Too much building thus when an accident happens ( car on its roof daily) the build up of traffic is immediately bad. Standards have dropped yesterday I saw a very obese man walking down Star street in his onesie & slippers it was a sign that he couldn’t even be bothered to get dressed!!!!!
There are too many vehicles on this island.
Time to roll out islandwide permit parking charges
to de-clutter the number of vehicles
Also introduced a ULEZ CHARGE for vehicles that pollute
the island.
Oh dear, Will Myles might have been a B -, but this Island has heaps to offer. We all need to find a way of making it better despite the odds around our Council and competition elsewhere…. every visitor to Britain is amazed that this small Island is bundled with so much goodness. Market to foreigners, not people who are about to catch the ferry or are visiting their Mum and Dad! Let’s work on making it happen, and yes Council don’t mkle that easy and we all need to work on that lot too!
I know nothing of Myles neither do I live on the IOW however, it takes only a couple of minutes of research to discover that the IOW is apparently in the same predicament as the rest of England. Tourism to the UK has been falling in recent years and there is little anyone can do if policies in place remain the same. That is: i) VAT I believe is higher than anywhere else in Europe ii) where is tax-free shopping for tourists? On further research I discovered the UK dropped to 19th place/60 when ‘Welcome’ is considered. Welcome meaning: positive interaction with locals, helpful hotel staff, friendly service – restaurants, stress-free airport experience, ease of getting around and smiling faces.
So, what to do? Like a lot of countries sort the tax issue to favour the tourist, that means political lobbying. The tourist will then spend more which means employment; greater employment leads to more people paying tax – a no brainer.
As for Welcome, I guess that could be harder particularly if tourists are far too many and crowd out the locals, therefore good luck with that!
As for the new tourism head not exactly and enviable job by any means.
The island is crawling with traffic wardens,unsuspecting tourist,spend £200 plus £ to bring there cars and family over, try to have a great day on the beach with the kids ,are ripped of to the tune of £4.50 for each Mr whippy sold by the greedy shop front cafe,then return 10 mins late to there car. Which they have already paid £8+ to park for the day to be greeted by a £40 parking ticket ,why would they ever want to come back to the isle of wight ?
Great business model for word of mouth tourism !