Visit Isle of Man aim to put the Island 'destination first'

New board aims to 'drive a programme of continuous improvement'

A new group set up by Visit Isle of Man earlier this year is helping to deliver 'short term' wins for the wider visitor economy.

The 'Destination First Board' is tackling 'low hanging fruit' according to the chief executive of Visit Isle of Man.

Deborah Heather shared her perspective with attendees at the Isle of Man Government Conference yesterday (18 September).

She told the crowd there are certain improvements that can be made via local communities and the tourism industry working together to take responsibility for destination stewardship.

She highlighted things people come to expect which 'benefit the visitor' and locals alike such as footpath maintenance and improved signage around the Island.

The Visit Agency Board and the Department for Enterprise discussed a destination stewardship paper in November 2023 and January 2024 and instructed that the Visit Agency Board should develop an enhanced Destination First Board to manage service experience, expanding it to include Isle of Man residents as well as visitors.

During the November 2023 sitting of Tynwald Jason Moorhouse MHK's motion regarding visitor service, and a subsequent amendment by Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston, carried unanimous support for the establishment of a visitor first committee by the beginning of March 2024 along with supporting terms of reference. 

The formation of the Destination First Board stemmed from this motion.