TOURISM MINISTER John Penrose was on the Island last week at the special invitation of our MP Andrew Turner.

Ostensibly on the Island to consider the future of Osborne House’s former convalescent home, as the law will have to be changed in order to change the use of the building, Mr. Penrose also took the opportunity to talk to representatives from the tourism industry on the Island.

He was also given a quick tour of one of our attractions followed by a question and answer session at the Priory Bay Hotel.

Unfortunately his visit fell on what was one of the wettest days we’ve had this autumn and a day when the roads on the Island were totally clogged with traffic due to a few accidents and untimely roadworks.

But the minister’s spirits were not dampened as he made his way to Sandown Zoo for an indoor encounter with the lemurs and to learn about their beautiful big cats. And the visit was made all the more memorable by a ‘Blue Peter moment’ during the proceedings.

“It was the first ministerial visit to be held up by lemur poo,” laughed MP Andrew Turner’s partner Carole Dennett who organised the event. One of the lemurs who was ‘meeting’ Mr. Penrose was unfortunately a little overcome by all of the attention when he got to Mr. Turner and had a small accident on his shoulder, which was quickly rectified.

After his zoo encounter the Minister and his entourage made their way to the Priory Bay Hotel in Seaview for an ‘in camera’ meeting with a few specially chosen representatives from the tourism industry and a question and answer session with a larger group, many of whom had special deals with Wightlink for their holiday accommodations.

“David Cameron wants to give tourism a push,” said Mr. Penrose. “The document I am preparing on tourism is nine tenths written and will be going to him next week.

“The figures for the country show that this last summer season has been particularly good.

“Everyone agrees that quality matters and how you improve that is exercising policy makers. What’s your view on the quality – how do we drive up quality in the industry?”

Andrew Palmer from the Priory Bay asked: “How do we overcome the season extend it? Quality requires investment, which needs profitability or support from the banks. Over the years we have had support from the banks but this is now gone – they need kicking or encouraging.”

Asking how many people had asked for money from banks in the past three to four months resulted in only a smattering of hands. “It’s best not to ask the banks for money at the moment,” remarked an audience member sagely.

The minister then asked about the rating systems and whether they made a difference. One hotel owner said that it used to but that there were now a greater number of four and five star rated self catering and luxury apartments. “To pay every year for a cursory inspection that costs a lot of money is not really offering us any benefits,” she said.

It was pointed out that many people just log on to Trip Advisor to check out potential holiday destinations.

One comment was that there was a necessity for better communication between the Chamber of Commerce and the Council – “We have failed to see and councillors interested in the tourism sector.”

Another observation was that there was no strong branding for the Island’s tourism ‘product’ and that there had not been enough communication with tourism providers about national advertising campaigns.

“It would be useful to know how the council is marketing us and where prior to the campaign,” was one observation with particular regard to the ‘Just Add Water’ advertisements on national television and billboards in London.

“If you had that information and you were told your brand would be on that marketing would that mean you would be prepared to contribute to that revenue?, asked the minister.

“We need joined up thinking and communicating. We have a great opportunity but we must not miss it because we’re not helping each other. Joining up is really crucial for the Island,” he stressed.

In conclusion John Penrose said: “ I cannot promise you large swadges (sic) of government cash…In George Osborne’s austere budget in June one of the rare rays of light was the reduction in holiday lettings rules. Moves to cut corporation tax should also be beneficial and there are moves to reduce the amount of red tape – we’re trying to get rid of that,” he said.

Afterwards the minister told The Gazette that the document he is preparing is going to the Prime Minister this week and should be evaluated by the end of the year.

“If you can get the private sector to band together that’s step one,” he stressed. “They can’t operate independently and fight each other.

“One of the bits not noticed in George Osborne’s spending review is that it gives authorities the chance to keep some of the business rates. Previously central government nicked it.

“If next year the tourism industry has grown the local authorities get to hold onto that growth. It’s a quick effective way of getting cash.”