Tourism Is On Its Arse...

[Gladys]

I think the island has a lot to offer tourists, but as has been said above, it is a niche market now. The island cannot attract visitors on its own merits alone, it cannot compete with the sun, sea and sand destinations, or even the classic UK destinations which really do not need any selling. What we need is some other 'draw' to make people think of the island as a destination. There was thread about the Isle of Wight's efforts in the walking holiday sector and how they themed walks (speed dating walks, Chinese themed walks). All very good marketing, that made you think of giving it a go. We just need that kind of imagination to set off the initial interest.

 

Otherwise, we are just another destination amongst very many.

[ourtess]

Think about what attracts second home owners from Great Britain and Ireland. We pump at least quarter of a million pounds each into the hands of a willing Islander. This is the real tourism, not day trips on the seacat.

 

For me it was the fishing.

[P.K.]

The Island is a niche destination, and is probably going to remain that way forever.

In order to show what excellent value for money they represent Tourism and Leisure most certainly have tried to promote the island as a niche destination. The "niche" they have chosen - going Green.

 

There was a hoarding showing a poor picture of a sea-going kayak off (presumably) the island's coast. They were plugging the island as somewhere you could reduce your carbon footprint - dead clever that, using a canoe. Unfortunately as far as I could tell not a soul in Heywood high street was in the least bit interested. Presumably because they were aware of the large carbon fuel totals getting there. After all, it must be a lot of fuel or the fares wouldn't be so high!

 

It's just pathetic, especially the bit where they will always get away with it....

[Stu Peters]

The simple reason we can't compete with Cornwall, the Lake District or Scotland is that UK families on a limited budget can drive to them! But I guess they're the sort of holidaymakers who self-cater and don't spend much in resorts anyway.

[Frances]

and don't spend much in resorts anyway.

doesn't the Racket priceing filter out this class of visitor - we could go a lot further & ban camper vans as we do caravans (or even suggest the Racket charge by vehicle length)

[hboy]

Think about what attracts second home owners from Great Britain and Ireland. We pump at least quarter of a million pounds each into the hands of a willing Islander.

 

That's a bit insulting, not all Manx people are property magnates, and many are effectively priced out of the market by people coming over and forcing up property prices for everyone else. Even if you sell your house for a quarter of a million its stupid money to buy in the next bracket above so your not really making anything other than ending up with a bigger mortgage.

 

Your talking through your arse I'm afraid. But if you think your doing people a favour with your unique style of tourism crack on.

[Frances]

They will build and plant, and endeavour to introduce into the present scene every possible luxury and comfort. On its being the continual resort of strangers depends, and I think may safely depend, the increasing prosperity of this country.

Woods 1811 "Account of the IoM"

[mojomonkey]

Where do you lot go on holiday? I don't go to England so I wouldn't expect too many to come over here. The simple fact is that its much cheaper to go abroad and the weather is much better. Look out the window, it's May and its raining.

[manxman8180]

blah...blah....(or even suggest the Racket charge by vehicle length)

Yes, just like they used to, and get critisized for all the time.....good one.

[thebees]

But I guess they're the sort of holidaymakers who self-cater and don't spend much in resorts anyway.

 

You mean like me, my husband and 2 children? We spend plenty when we go on holiday, ice creams arent cheap you know! we self cater but buy food from the local supermarkets and 'eat out' a lot, coupled with entrance fees to places, petrol and general child expenses. I'd say families are far more lucrative than the OAP market that we seem to love so much, they get rack room rates of £15pppn and come over on their own coaches armed with their pensions (which are less than the IOM pensioners get) not going to be big spenders are they?

 

Mojo, Im guessing you dont have 2 kids to travel with. Since the anti-terrorist things caused mayhem at airports and you really need to be there 4 hours before your flight goes I'd rather go to rainy Scotland than spend hours waiting in a crappy airport with stinking McDonalds food joints and fat lesbian security guards sniffing my feet. Tourist destinations make me puke anyway, I'd rather poke myself in the eye than hang out with a load of Rab C Nesbits on their package deals, yack.

[mojomonkey]

Mojo, Im guessing you dont have 2 kids to travel with. Since the anti-terrorist things caused mayhem at airports and you really need to be there 4 hours before your flight goes I'd rather go to rainy Scotland than spend hours waiting in a crappy airport with stinking McDonalds food joints and fat lesbian security guards sniffing my feet. Tourist destinations make me puke anyway, I'd rather poke myself in the eye than hang out with a load of Rab C Nesbits on their package deals, yack.

 

Yep, I don't have kids so can't say I can come at it from the family angle. However logic tells me that more people means more cost in boat or air fares to Island.

 

Personally, I went travelling round the world for a month earlier this year and the only bother I had with any part of it was getting off the Island and getting back on it. I sorted all the arrangements out myself (16 flights in a month, 24,000ish miles & one large carbon footpring ) and wouldn't go on a package holiday if you paid me to do it. It seemed to me that only UK airports are over the top on security.

[Lost Login]

I agree, I know people who go abroad and people who stay. Many do both at different times of the year and the self catering is often a prefered option espcially with friends with young families in the UK. Much more freedom to come and go, you do not end up sharing a family room in a hotel. The kids can go to bed whilst you stay in the lounge with a few drinks etc. Also many are child friendly so may be on farms or in a rural setting which the kids can explore safely etc etc. It is not necessarily done because it is a cheap option. In deed it is not a cheap option and many who choose this type of option are happy to put there hand in their pockets for each day for various outings, and eat in child friendly pubs in the evening.

 

I even know some who came to the IoM for such a holiday and not one moaned about the cost of the boat. A lack of some facilities, a shortage of good child friendly pubs, difficultly in finding good self catering accomodation yes but not the prices as they had budgeted for them. And these were not mega wealthy people, one is a socail worker! There is therefore a market out there of families who want to holiday in the UK and are prepared to pay for the privalage provided they get value for Money. It would may not be to everybodies choice but then lying on a sun lounger 12hrs a day is not mine. Well not when I have young kids who expect to be "entertained"

 

 

But I guess they're the sort of holidaymakers who self-cater and don't spend much in resorts anyway.

 

You mean like me, my husband and 2 children? We spend plenty when we go on holiday, ice creams arent cheap you know! we self cater but buy food from the local supermarkets and 'eat out' a lot, coupled with entrance fees to places, petrol and general child expenses. I'd say families are far more lucrative than the OAP market that we seem to love so much, they get rack room rates of £15pppn and come over on their own coaches armed with their pensions (which are less than the IOM pensioners get) not going to be big spenders are they?

 

Mojo, Im guessing you dont have 2 kids to travel with. Since the anti-terrorist things caused mayhem at airports and you really need to be there 4 hours before your flight goes I'd rather go to rainy Scotland than spend hours waiting in a crappy airport with stinking McDonalds food joints and fat lesbian security guards sniffing my feet. Tourist destinations make me puke anyway, I'd rather poke myself in the eye than hang out with a load of Rab C Nesbits on their package deals, yack.

[ourtess]

Think about what attracts second home owners from Great Britain and Ireland. We pump at least quarter of a million pounds each into the hands of a willing Islander.

 

That's a bit insulting, not all Manx people are property magnates, and many are effectively priced out of the market by people coming over and forcing up property prices for everyone else. Even if you sell your house for a quarter of a million its stupid money to buy in the next bracket above so your not really making anything other than ending up with a bigger mortgage.

 

Your talking through your arse I'm afraid. But if you think your doing people a favour with your unique style of tourism crack on.

 

 

Actually property on the IOM is cheaper than in holiday parts of England. So if your kids want jobs in the UK with a house they are relying on people like me to equalise the prices.

[When Skies Are Grey]

If, as so many people seem to indicate, we cant compete with other tourist destinations then why do we keep trying to do so.

 

If we cant compete we should diversify. In any other industry when faced with such seemingly insurmountable competition you would continue to keep going head to head.

 

So lets stop trying to be Blackpool or god forbid the Costa de Sol and think about ways of becoming unique.....gambling, motorsport, walking, porn for starters.

 

Also is visitor numbers the only indicator by which to measure tourism, what about the money spent whilst they are here, is that taken in to account anywhere?

[Amadeus]

porn for starters.

Is that part of the freedom to f.. campaign?

 

Been thinking for ages that we should bring cash-loaded industry sectors over here, to further diversify - arms industry and adult entertainment to start with - why should the yanks have all the fun with guns'n tits?