Conservative Council Campaign Just Add Water Part 1 | Newport Isle of Wight

AN INTERNATIONAL campaign to promote the Isle of Wight as a first class holiday destination is under way.

The Isle of Wight's marketing campaign for tourism 'Just Add Water' will this year have a greater emphasis on on-line marketing using for the first time popular social networking sites. This includes Facebook and YouTube, where more user-generated content can be used such as videos and photos, as well as visitors and residents comments.

Flickr and Twitter will also be used, with the council actively encouraging Islanders to upload their images of the Island.

Online search engines Google and Yahoo are also being used to promote the Island with the use of online adverts, with the tourism website www.visitwight.co.uk heavily promoted.

Another new innovation is the display of promotional material on moving LED screens in central London during peak commuter times.

The £260,000-plus campaign also involves more traditional types of advertising such as billboards, national newspapers, magazine advertising and ads on the London tube network.

"The campaign builds on the tried and tested advertising media but for the first time really raises the Island's profile on social media sites which are becoming more and more influential in terms of leading people to a holiday destination," said John Metcalfe, IW Council deputy director of economy and tourism.

"Social network marketing offers up a whole new dimension to the campaign and does so in a particularly cost effective way"

Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member responsible for tourism George Brown said "With the so-called 'staycation' holiday still popular, we must position the Isle of Wight so that it is uppermost in people's minds when they are thinking of a quality holiday destination.

"While traditional marketing methods are valid and successful, it is important we have a greater focus towards online and social networking marketing because sites such as YouTube and Facebook have millions of users, all of whom could be potential visitors"

The Just Add Water campaign is also promoting the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Industry (IWCCTI) 2010 Isle of Wight Accommodation Guide which is available from Tourism Information Centres throughout the country and via www.visitwight.co.uk

The IWCCTI General manager Dean Pascall said "We have received excellent feedback from Industry on the quality and new look of this year's Accommodation Guide. With a speedy distribution network already underway, this is going to support the Campaign's promotion of the Island as a great holiday destination and tourism product".

Another feature of the 2010 Just Add Water campaign is that, while focussing activity during the months when most people traditionally book, it ensures the Island has a year-round presence to attract the people who book their holidays at the last minute and during 'out of season' months.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Isle of Wight
• Council
• Newport
• Rundown
• Conservative
• David Pugh
• Economy
• Tourism

[isleofwightinsider]

Great stuff, make some more...I have a particular fondness for 3:19 :)

[WightLiving]

@isleofwightinsider

Thanks for the comments Mr Insider, your videos gave me the inspiration to do this series. I'm going to be covering the whole Isle of Wight town by town

Our CONservative Council have their priority's wrong and I feel its unfair to try and promote us as a first class holiday destination! Our money could be better spent on the Island!