New tourism champion for the Isles of Scilly

The Isles of Scilly are to get their own dedicated tourism champion as part of a £412,000 project part-funded by the Objective One programme.

It means that for the first time the islands will have a tourism officer co-ordinating activity across all the islands, including a dedicated website, advertising and marketing campaigns.

The three-year project aims to increase the total number of visitors to the islands, extend the visitor season and attract new and different types of visitors.

The Scillies, situated 28 miles off Land’s End, are renowned for their natural beauty ranging from sub-tropical gardens to windswept headlands and golden, sandy beaches. Last year the islands attracted 115,000 people, carried to and from the mainland by ship, aircraft and helicopter.

Julia Day, chair of the Isles of Scilly Tourist Board, said: “This is excellent news and is something that the tourism industry here is keen to progress.

“Our future planning must look at how we make the Scilly experience one of the best. It’s essential we continue developing as a quality destination and we can’t afford to be complacent. This project has come just at the right time.”

Jane Buchanan, Objective One Integrated Area Plan facilitator on the Isles of Scilly, said: “Tourism is vital to the economy of Scilly and it’s important we maintain our market share against increasing competition from around the world. The tourism champion will help maintain existing visitor levels and encourage others to come here on holiday, including visitors from overseas.”

The project has secured a £169,000 grant from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Objective One programme, and this has been matched by a number of public and private sector funding sources.

The South West Regional Development Agency is contributing £67,500; a further £63,600 is from the Council of the Isles of Scilly; and £112,000 is coming from the Isles of Scilly Initiative.

Jeff Marston, chief executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, which runs the Skybus aircraft service to the islands and has just recommenced sailings of the Scillonian III passenger ship from Penzance, said: “This will be a huge boost for the islands which is why the tourism industry has come together to fund it. It’s already shaping up as an excellent year for us, and the challenge now is to sustain and build upon that success.”

Stephen Bohane, Head of Operations for the South West Regional Development Agency in Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly, said: “Tourism is the mainstay of the Scillies’ economy. We want to play our part in ensuring its long-term future, which is why we’re supporting this project and are looking at further possible investment on the islands.”

The job of tourism champion is likely to be advertised after Easter with a view to having someone in post in the summer.