The Slow Wight Travel Guide to the Isle of Wight is now available.  It has been researched and written by Mark Rowe, news editor of Countryfile Magazine and produced by Visit Isle of Wight. The guide has been funded by the Isle of Wight Council’s Access Fund.

The guide is available via a website and uses Google maps to plot the routes.

About the guide and slow travel

The Slow Travel Guide to the Isle of Wight is a collection of eight sustainable travel routes around the Isle of Wight that can be explored by a combination of bus, walking and bicycle.  The routes act as an invitation to visit the Island’s ‘headline acts’, but also to explore many of its lesser-known, yet equally delightful spots. The routes feature food and drink, farm shops, artists and craftspeople as well as places of interest – including some ‘secret’ rural gems.

The emphasis is on exploring the Isle of Wight and really getting a feel for Island life, and the guide offers practical travel information on how to explore the Island without a car. Walking, cycling or taking the bus (or train) around the Island enables visitors to slow down and take their time.

How we are marketing the guide

We will be including the guide in our main Visit Isle of Wight off Island marketing campaigns. This will involved print and digital advertising and social media organic posts and social media advertising. Both our Press Officer Sue Emmerson and our off Island PR will be promoting the guide to national and international travel media and Visit Britain.

How to encourage your guests to use the guide

We’d love you to share the guide with your guests. The guide is packed with information and ideas for getting out and about on the Island – some familiar ideas and attractions are included, but also some different ideas. We’re hoping to encourage people to explore the Island using sustainable travel methods for at least some of their holiday even if they use the car to get around the rest of the time.

Here’s how to get involved:

• Share our posts on social media using #slowwighttravelguide.

• Add information about the guide on your website or e-newsletters. You can direct people to the route nearest your business, or encourage them to explore further afield.

• Here’s the drop box link for images, logo and web banners – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gy5j1tx541z8fpl/AAAM04O7dqMJFAsyd1YMn42aa?dl=0

• Use the images in the dropbox link – they are free to use. We ask that you credit visitisleofwight.co.uk if you’re using the images on line or in print. If you’re sharing them on social media, please @ mention us and use #slowwighttravelguide.

• Use the logos and web banners – they’re free to use as well.

• Tell your guests about the guide when they check in – at present we don’t have a printed flyer, but we may consider this in the future.

If you have any questions about the guide, or need further information, please email abi@visitwight.org