Red Funnel is asking Isle of Wight businesses and residents to nominate their very own Tourism Hero for 2024 – a brand-new accolade launched as part of the annual Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards held earlier this month.
The recipient of this new award can be anyone working within the Island’s tourism industry who goes above and beyond at what they do; be it innovative business owners and dedicated employees or volunteers giving their time to create a memorable experience.
Islanders are invited to nominate their Tourism Hero by 30th November, ready to announce the winner by the end of the year.
Red Funnel CEO Fran Collins looks forward to presenting the award to the first well-deserving winner:
“We are thrilled to introduce our brand-new Tourism Hero award as part of the annual Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards. This is more than just a recognition; it’s a celebration of the extraordinary people who make the Isle of Wight an unforgettable and wonderfully different destination. Supporting this award means shining a light on those who go above and beyond and making sure they get the recognition they deserve.
“We can’t wait to read the submissions and have no doubt that with so many incredible individuals on the Island, this isn’t going to be an easy choice!”
To enter a nomination, simply share your Tourism Hero’s name, tourism association and the reason why they deserve to be celebrated by visiting the online nomination page here.
Red Funnel is also pleased to announce that applications are now officially open for the 6th annual Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards in 2025 – just one week on from this year’s glittering ceremony, which saw 57 fantastic local businesses recognised with an award. A full list of 2024 winners can be found here.
Celebrating the brightest and best playing their part in the Island’s excellent visitor experience, eligible businesses can put themselves forward for up to two coveted Isle of Wight Awards in 2025, before handing over to the public to vote for their favourites.
Free to enter, there are 19 awards to choose from under four main categories: Places to Stay, Places to Eat, Things to Do and Isle of Woof. Whether a business is revered for its dog-friendly offering, serves a mean Sunday Roast, is regularly adding to an exciting attraction or is proud to offer a unique Island retreat, there’s an award to recognise their efforts.
Applications for the 2025 Isle of Wight Awards closes 30th March 2025. The three businesses with the most votes under each category will be invited to receive gold, silver or bronze at the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards ceremony at the end of next year – a celebration of the hard work and tourism efforts that makes the Island such a wonderfully different place to visit.
To nominate your business, click here.
How businesses can apply:
To be eligible for application, businesses must be an active contributor to the Isle of Wight tourism industry and have a mixed customer base of both residents and visitors.
Each business must nominate themselves for an award and can enter a maximum of 2 categories.
All categories can be found below:
Food & Drink
- Best Burger
Best Cafe/Tearoom
Best Fish & Chips
Best Local Produce
Best Pub
Best Restaurant
Best Roast
Things To Do
- Best Activity Provider
- Best Island Event
- Best Large Attraction
- Best Small Attraction
- Best Shop
Accommodation
- Best BnB/Guesthouse
- Best Campsite
- Best Holiday Cottage/Apartment
- Best Hotel Experience
- Best Holiday Park
- Best Place to go Glamping
Other
- Isle of Woof Award 2025
Tourism on the island is poor
I can get a 99 ice cream in Blackpool for £1
I can get a burger in Blackpool for £1
I can get a large slush in Blackpool for £1
Every business on the island charges extortionate prices.
Council charges 50p to use toilets
Council charges 24/7 364 days a year parking fees
£2 nightly charge (lol)
and boat fares are the most expensive in the world.
Hopefully your off to Blackpool
‘the annual Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards’
This is proof, if proof were needed, that dread Funnel are making far too much profit, if they’re putting on awards like this and still paying their shareholders. Maybe they could better use this money by ploughing it back into the business to:
Reduce fares
Buy boats that are reliable
Employ enough staff to run their boats
Maybe then there’d be something to celebrate.