Dear Levy Payer,

I’m writing to introduce myself and to mark the beginning of a new chapter for Visit Isle of Wight and the Wight BID.

My name is Dominic Wray, and I recently joined Visit Isle of Wight as Chief Executive. I’ve stepped into this role at an important time for the organisation and for the Island’s visitor economy more broadly.

By background, I’ve spent over a decade running Blackgang Chine, one of the Island’s most established visitor attractions, and I continue to work closely with tourism and business leaders at both local and national level. That experience has given me a clear understanding of the pressures facing tourism businesses, particularly in a climate of rising costs, changing visitor behaviour, and ongoing concerns around declining numbers.

It’s been clear from the feedback I’ve heard so far that many levy-paying businesses have felt disengaged from the BID and uncertain about the value it delivers. Those concerns are understood, and addressing them is central to why the organisation is now entering a new phase.

Alongside my appointment, the newly elected Board has been established, made up of 11 levy-paying business representatives, as well as the appointment of a new Vice-Chair, Steve Wells of Luccombe Hotels. This strengthens governance and ensures the BID is shaped directly by the businesses that fund it, with clearer accountability and a renewed focus on purpose.

So, what will be different?

Over the coming months, our priority is to listen first and to reset how the BID works with its levy payers. This will include:

• Direct engagement with businesses, through sector-specific sessions (for example with accommodation providers, attractions, hospitality etc.), so discussions are relevant and focused on real needs.
• Clearer priorities and discipline, ensuring levy funding is directed toward activity that delivers impact and demonstrable benefit.
• More effective promotion, supporting year-round visitation and a more resilient visitor economy.
• Stronger representation, making sure levy-paying businesses are clearly and consistently represented in discussions with partners, stakeholders and the Council.
• Better collaboration, working more closely across the sector to take a joined-up approach to shared challenges and opportunities.

Before any future vote is considered, our commitment is to engage openly, be clear about what this BID can deliver, and to demonstrate a different way of working in practice. Your feedback will help shape what comes next, and success will be measured by outcomes, not intentions.

This is about earning confidence, not assuming it, and about building a BID that works for the businesses that fund it.

I look forward to meeting many of you over the coming months and hearing directly from you.

Kind regards,

Dom Wray
Chief Executive
Visit Isle of Wight