On Thursday evening (27 November) Visit Isle of Wight represented the island at the Group Travel World Awards held at The Presidents Hotel in London.

Group Travel World magazine is an inspirational group travel publication aimed at group travel organisers, coach operators, travel clubs and educational groups.

The award, voted by Group Travel World members, celebrates all the island has to offer for group travel. 

Speaking about the award, Amy Summers, Head of Marketing and Sustainability, said:

“It was a real honour to collect this award, alongside Nick, on behalf of the Isle of Wight. Group travel is an important market for the island, and it provides the much-needed economic benefit during the extended seasons. My thanks to everyone that voted for the island, and to Group Travel World for recognising our collective efforts within this key sector.”

The Isle of Wight became finalists earlier in the year and was up against stiff competition from destinations including Liverpool, Wiltshire, County Durham, Southend-on-Sea and Discover Newmarket.

Nick Weightman, Exhibitions, Trade and Sustainability Executive, added:

“Visit Isle of Wight has continued to fly the flag for the island within the groups and travel trade market and this award is testament to the hard work of our industry colleagues on the island. Recently we’ve launched our new groups and trade guide, which offers new itineraries and up-to-date group information, and we plan to launch a new trade e-newsletter in the new year. I look forward to continuing to engage with off-island companies and group tour operators to provide the best experiences on the Isle of Wight”.

Along with its off-island promotional activity, Visit Isle of Wight manages the Exhibitions Partnership, where groups and travel trade are a part of a coordinated approach to promote tourism on the island. This award recognises the collective efforts this group, and other tourism businesses, are making to welcome group trade.