Wightlink has been recognised for its role in helping thousands of children travel to and from the Isle of Wight on school trips.
Island-based Education Destination has presented the ferry operator with its 2026 Customer Excellence Award.
Wightlink was named in the Transport category alongside 2 coach companies, with the award recognising its role in providing smooth travel arrangements for school groups.
Education Destination organises trips for thousands of children and teachers travelling to destinations on the Isle of Wight and the mainland each year.
During 2026, Wightlink carried 2,242 children to and from the Isle of Wight through the company’s trips, along with around 230 adults.
The 2 companies have worked together for more than 12 years.
Education Destination, which began in 2014, has also expanded in recent years to offer educational experiences in Dorset and Hampshire.
A spokesperson for Education Destination has said:
“Wightlink has been a cornerstone of our operations this year, recognised for being flexible and incredibly helpful whenever we’ve needed to make last-minute changes to our travel plans.
“They are a fantastic team to deal with and offer excellent value to our schools.”
One of the company’s organisers added:
“We truly value the support from Wightlink.
“Their team is always so accommodating; they make the travel portion of our trips stress-free and reliable.”
Kirstie Higgins-Day, Head of Business Development at Wightlink, said:
“We greatly appreciate Education Destination and the important role it plays in bringing young people to the Isle of Wight.
“These visits create memorable learning experiences and help students discover everything the Island has to offer.
“We are proud to support Education Destination and all our education and group travel customers, and we’re delighted that our team has been recognised through this award.”
