Visitor spend on Isle of Wight increases by 45%

By Sam Pither

23 August 2022

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Image credit: visitisleofwight.co.uk

Visitor spend on the Isle of Wight has increased by 45 per cent since 2019, with £114 million spent during quarter two of 2022.

This is according to recent data released by Tourism South East, who, for the first time since 2019, ran a full survey on tourism in the Isle of Wight between April and June 2022 on behalf of Visit Isle of Wight.

The island has seen a significant increase in the average spend of its visitors. In 2019, the Isle of Wight saw an average spend of £24.30 per day from its day visitors and £198.20 per trip from its overnight visitors. In quarter two of 2022, this was £33.25 and £293.41 respectively.

The survey also found that 633,155 visitors travelled to the island during the period, a 3 per cent increase on 2019’s 623,592. Reflecting a successful advertising campaign targeting the capital, the number of visitors from London have nearly doubled.

In line with a nationwide downturn in coach travel since the coronavirus, the number of visitors choosing this means of transport has reduced from 11 per cent in 2019 to just 3 per cent in 2022.

Managing director of Visit Isle of Wight, Will Myles, said: “While these figures are encouraging, we know from anecdotal reports that some local businesses are already seeing the bite from the national economic downturn.

“Visit Isle of Wight is committed to ensuring that the Island and its businesses are forefront in the minds of visitors. Our autumn and winter marketing campaign launches in the next couple of weeks, and we hope that businesses look out for opportunities to join us in marketing the Island with one powerful voice.

“This September 11th will see the Isle of Wight’s reputation as a cycling mecca recognised nationally and globally, when the Tour of Britain’s exciting final stage takes place here. I urge businesses and residents to get behind the Tour of Britain and take part in the celebrations, which we hope will have an incredible lasting legacy.

“With TV crews from ITV 4, Eurosport and more, this will be a fantastic opportunity for the Island to really shine and encourage not just cyclists to visit, but their friends and family who will inevitably accompany them on their visit to the Isle of Wight.’

Featured image credit: visitisleofwight.co.uk

By Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset.

A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise.

Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.