I am delighted to advise you all that the visitors viewing isleofwight.com is 20.6% up on January 2009. Hopefully this bodes well for tourism on the Island in 2010.
Whilst I was very critical of the data and information delivered to the press by the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce and the Isle of Wight Council, which in one instance claimed tourism was up 400%, the figures I have quoted are a direct comparison on the same period in 2009.
Many businesses are reporting an upturn in bookings, although this mainly seems to apply to Self Catering Accommodation and Camping and Touring sites. However, from past experience, website users research holidays for the coming year, booking in the majority around March – July. Fingers crossed it will be a better season.