The Isle of Wight has once again been recognised as one of Europe’s top island destinations after being shortlisted for the ‘Most Desirable Island in Europe’ title at the 2026 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards.
The Island is among a prestigious list of destinations competing for the accolade, including Corsica, Crete, Gran Canaria, Hvar, Lanzarote, Madeira, Mallorca, Santorini, Sicily, Tenerife and the Isle of Skye.
Now in their 25th year, the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards are the UK’s largest consumer-voted travel awards, with more than 200,000 travellers expected to cast their votes before the winners are announced later this year.
Visit Isle of Wight is encouraging residents, businesses, visitors and everyone with a love for the Island to support the nomination by casting their vote.
Dominic Wray, Chief Executive of Visit Isle of Wight, has said:
“We’re incredibly proud to see the Isle of Wight shortlisted once again as one of Europe’s most desirable islands.
“To be recognised alongside some of the continent’s most iconic destinations is a fantastic achievement and reflects everything that makes our Island so special – from our spectacular coastline and beautiful landscapes to our welcoming communities, unique experiences and rich heritage.
“These awards are decided entirely by the public, so every vote really does count. Whether you live here, have visited before or simply love the Isle of Wight, we’d be hugely grateful if you could take a moment to vote and help us showcase our wonderful Island on the international stage.”
Article continues below this advertisement
The Isle of Wight has been nominated for the award on a number of previous occasions, with Visit Isle of Wight hoping another strong showing will help further raise the Island’s profile among UK and international travellers.
Voting is now open and closes on 27th October, with the winners due to be announced at the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards ceremony during World Travel Market London on 4th November.
Those wishing to support the Isle of Wight’s bid can vote online via the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards website.
That’s a joke, what for the most expensive ferry fares
in the world.
Or maybe it’s because IW Council / Sandown Town Council
provide free parking on Pavements in Sandown.
A complete joke.
Trying to get the Island population to skew actual results? I thought the idea was that real travellers that have actually spent time here actually rated it from their perspective?
They don’t stay on the island long enough to
see the real island.
Well I’m incredibly shocked to see the island shortlisted with some of the other contestants listed!
I have to say, Sandown and Shanklin look pretty awful and I wouldn’t want to stay there in holiday myself. Also Sandown was it given a cultural award!?!! What’s going on, someone getting a backhander or something else?
The Island is a terrible place to holiday.
Fish and chip shop in Sandown close at 2pm and is
not open 7 days a week.
Do they think holidaymakers don’t want to eat.
Not to mention so many cafes closed along the
High Street in July.
Shanklin seafront fish and chip shop prices are extortionate
you can holiday in Blackpool etc and pay much less, not to
mention many places charging £9 for a cream tea that comes
with only 1 scone and not 2 scones.
Too many businesses are overcharging for poor quality and
small portions.
So many businesses stoo selling food at 2.30 in the afternoon
some don’t open every day, it’s a joke.
Then to top it all check out the extortionate ferry prices
and I forgot to mention £40 daily charge for a beach hut
in Sandown. I wouldn’t want a beach hut in Sandown if they
paid me £40
Tourism is finished on the Island, GREED is killing off tourism
Wow! you think the Island is a terrible place for a holiday but you like Blackpool. That says more about you then.
plus if they paid you £40 for a beach hut that you could then sell on for £10 thus undercutting the competition by 75% show you are stupid at finance too!