A recommendation that England’s tourism DMO (Destination Management Organisation) landscape be transformed to work in a more joined-up way with partners has seen a major step forward for the company that works to promote the Island, Visit Isle of Wight.
Following an independent review, the UK Government and VisitEngland have worked to reduce the fragmentation of DMOs across the country. Developed by VisitEngland, a new programme has been designed to create a national portfolio of strategic and high-performing LVEP’s (Local Visitor Economy Partnerships) working in collaboration locally, regionally and nationally on shared priorities and targets to support and grow the visitor economy.
The detailed application process has resulted in Visit Isle of Wight gaining LVEP status and it will work alongside partner bodies locally, regionally and nationally to ensure that the Island maintains it’s importance as a visitor destination.
On receiving the news, Will Myles, MD at Visit Isle of Wight, said:
‘To be recognised at this level is a great achievement for the Isle of Wight and it’s visitor economy businesses as it demonstrates the importance and impact the Island has at a national level, and we were able to highlight that throughout the process.
‘It means that Visit Isle of Wight will have a clear, strategic link for the Island from the local to the national level alongside the other major visitor economy destinations across England discussing matters relating to national tourism, hospitality and the visitor economy when talking with VisitEngland and Government.’
As a LVEP, Visit Isle of Wight will work closely with VisitEngland and their regional development lead, allowing for a more joined-up approach to tourism and destination management which will directly benefit the Isle of Wight.
Visit Isle of Wight will be able to access expert advice, dedicated toolkits and training programmes from VisitBritain/VisitEngland in areas ranging from commercialisation, distribution, accessibility and sustainability to business support and marketing. This important role will be promoted across government and national agencies, ensuring the Isle of Wight’s visitor economy is an active and valued contributor to Levelling Up and the wider economy.
VisitEngland Director, Andrew Stokes, said:
“Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) are at the heart of transforming the visitor economy landscape in England and we are delighted to welcome Visit Isle of Wight onto the programme.
“We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Visit Isle of Wight as the LVEP is established, providing ongoing support including a dedicated VisitEngland regional development lead.
“Having the right national and local infrastructure in place to grow our visitor economy, in an inclusive, accessible and sustainable way, will ensure England continues to be a compelling destination for both domestic and international visitors.”
Julie Jones-Evans, Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member with the portfolio for Tourism said:
“This is great recognition of the work of VIOW and how the Island is defined and a significant tourist destination which deserves highlighting and supporting. Congratulations!”
Bob Seely MP said:
“This is great news for the Island, putting us at the forefront of future plans to attract investment and visitors, boosting jobs and our economy.
“Through our new Local Visitor Economy Partnership, the Isle of Wight will have a direct link into the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and will be better placed to influence government plans and thinking relating to the visitor economy.
“Congratulations to Will Myles and his team at Visit Isle of Wight for the hard work they put in to securing this well-deserved accreditation for the Island. I look forward to continuing to support them in all the great work they do for the Island.”
The Island is a beautiful place.
What let’s the Island down in my opinion
No.1 Expensive Ferry Fares
No.2 24/7 365 days a year parking charges.
No.3 you have to pay to use the toilets in many of the Islands locations.
No.4 Many unsafe roads due to an incompetent Council.
No.5 everywhere you go you can smell weed.
Otherwise all is good.
100% agree also yes the beeches are a big attraction but when like this summer weather is poor people can’t sit on the beeches they are very limited on other areas to entertain themselves as most towns etc are eyesores .
there only so many times you can visit donkey sanctuary lol
One way to beat the 24/7 parking charges
Park outside the front of Sandown Pier or Napoleons Landing flats on the double yellow lines
Council Enforcement Officers turn a blind eye to vehicles at these locations
It’s free parking for all.
Lol
Or park on the slipway adjacent to the Premier Inn.
So many places Wardens don’t go to.
Dont forget the lack of loos and the war zone on Sandown sea front
Beirut looks in better shape.
And why the Council close toilets early during school holidays
amazes me.
The toilets in Yaverland Car Park close at 7pm
People need to p-ss after 7pm
The council are so out of touch.
Perhaps if we were to do away with LVEPs, DMOs, VisitEngland, VistsBritain and VisitIOW and just have a Tourist Board, we’d save so much money that we could afford to open the toilets and reduce parking charges. Not to mention countless other useless and counter-productive quangos.
No? Silly idea?
Great idea. I will never pay to use these toilets it’s a disgrace.
I saw an holidaymaker in Godshill yesterday callout to his Mrs have you got
20p they charge to use the toilets.
IW Council are a disgrace.
Or you can just p–s up the side of them or go behind your car that’s free
Great idea.
I have seen many people pi–ing up the wall, who can blame them.
None of those have done good for the Island. Bring back Tourist information everyone in country new who they were. Everything else is available on Facebook or online. Don’t need CEOs on big salaries.
The isand as a nice place is finished, more and more stupid housing developments to move the dreg ends out from London and the northern scummy cities, to down here. More crime, no income, no hope. Dismal, no not really, just being a realist. Sandown used to be a nice place to visit way back, but now is a dead S***hole. The rest of the towns will soon follow, thanks to this useless bloody council and of course that selfish MP Seely.
Londoners have made the Island a much better place,
they have brought much wealth with them.
Look at Seaview, Bembridge, Yarmouth, Gurnard and Cowes
All London on sea.
More like battersea dogs home. ALLRIGHT . That’s all you hear.
Went down the front, Steep hill Cove May Bank Holiday & thought I’d walked into Crufts!
;0)
Yarmouth has a school closed, Seaview is just dead. Bembridge is rife with drugs, You are talking tripe. Oh no hang on that’s just bringing London ways down here, of course.
i have objected about visit iow since its conception,it penalises hospitality businesses this year they are charging me over 300-00 pounds for something i dont want ,i advertise and promote my own business i dont need them to do it.Also remember the first year of its conception the chief executives wife who was the company secretary stole the money that we the hospitality business had paid.Visit iow is just a rip of it should be scrapped and bring back the tourist board.I asked for copies of the results for which businesses had voted yes to continue this unfair tax and those against,surprise no reply.
Totally agree! I think it’s shameful. If people don’t want their business advertised by them (which I imagine it won’t be, when only a small business, it’ll be the big bucks paying them top rate for a full page) then little businesses like yours will suffer with yet another payment to pay.
Visitors complain about high prices, but we’re having to raise our rates EVEN MORE because of unfair rates they’re giving us! I imagine most other places don’t need to pay this ‘legal tax’
I’m not saying that gaining LVEP status is a bad thing, but when I googled ‘what do LVEPs actually do’ it went to the visitbritain site and having read it I’m none the wiser! Does it mean grants for small tourist related businesses? cash to preserve heritage sites? .. we don’t know, just a lot of positive sounding business speak. Lets have some examples of what this actually means please.