Early in the summer the Islands’ Partnership, together with the Isles of Scilly AONB Partnership, launched a Photo Competition which ran for much of the season. Visitors (and residents) were encouraged to submit their photos. More than 830 were entered in total, in 8 different categories, and we have shortlisted 32 – 4 per category.

Through the Visit Isles of Scilly website, an online campaign has now been launched for the public to vote for the overall winner, who will enjoy a short break for two at Samson Hill Cottage and travel to the islands on the Scillonian III.  The deadline for voting is 5pm on Friday, 14th November.  The public vote is being supported by strong social media and online marketing.

The Isles of Scilly is celebrating its best ever year for cruises, and the fact that the islands are now the most popular cruise destination of anywhere in the southwest of England – outdoing Dartmouth, Falmouth and other popular ports.

In total, 39 cruise ships visited Scilly in 2014 – beating a previous record of 36 in 2010. Passengers visiting St. Mary’s (and also this year St. Agnes, Bryher and St. Martins) rose to a record 10,401 – breaking the previous record of 7,948 in 2012.  A further 4,300 cruise passengers headed directly to Tresco, bringing the total for all the islands in 2014 to just over 14,700.

The Islands’ Partnership works closely with Tresco Island and the Duchy of Cornwall Harbour Master’s Office to encourage cruises to the islands, which are estimated to be worth in excess of £450,000 to Scilly’s economy. That doesn’t include the goodwill value of those cruise passengers who, having sampled a small taste of Scilly, will choose to return for a longer break.

An on-board representative from the Islands’ Partnership team greets the cruise ship passengers to hand out promotional materials and maps of the islands and has, for some ships, offered on-shore support this year. IP member businesses also benefit, including St. Mary’s Boatmen’s Association who provide passenger transfers to shore, and attractions and tour operators such as Island Rover Tours, Island Sea Safaris and of course Tresco Abbey Garden. Island retailers and food outlets have also been very welcoming this year, particularly with respect to opening their businesses to customers coming ashore on Sundays.

“The Islands’ Partnership makes a contribution of £1,000 towards advertising with Destination Southwest which pays dividends in terms of cruise ship visitor numbers. Our pro-active approach to welcoming cruises this year has been well received, by both passengers and the cruise operators, and it is definitely something we will look to develop further next season, particularly with regard to on-shore support,” says Tourism Coordinator, Amanda Pender. “Coordinating our efforts with member businesses, welcome volunteers, and also with Tresco Island and the Duchy has been tremendously successful.”

Oriel Hicks has been voted on to the Board of IP Directors at the second Islands’ Partnership AGM which took place on Friday 17th October. Oriel runs Phoenix Craft Studios on Porthmellon Business Park, and also hosts Art Scilly Week every May. She is passionate about Scilly and wants prospective visitors to feel the same when they come to the islands. In her campaign statement, Oriel talked about the power of pooling resources and the need to drive the partnership forward through product development.

IP members also re-elected Robert Goldsmith, CEO Isles of Scilly Steamship Group; Chris Gregory, Duchy Land Steward; John Peacock, Owner St. Agnes Boating. Sabine Schraudolph, who runs the Isles of Scilly Country Guesthouse and one of the founder members of the IP Board, was not re-elected.  The other five directors – Robert Francis, Alasdair Moore, Sarah Mason, Jon May and Euan Rodger remain in post.

Sabine was given a vote of thanks by members at the AGM for all her hard work and guidance whilst serving as an IP Director. 

The Annual General Meeting of the Islands’ Partnership takes place this Friday, 17th October, 11am at the Church Hall, Church Road, St. Mary’s. Doors open from 10am.

The occasion provides the Board of Directors with an opportunity to report on IP activities over the past year and will deal with the usual matters of finance and governance. It will also be an opportunity for members to elect their chosen representatives to the Board. Details of the five candidates who have put themselves forwarded for election are available in the members area of the IP website and it is hoped that all members will exercise their right to vote at the meeting. 

The Islands’ Partnership’s marketing consultants, Wolf Rock, will also make a presentation explaining our anticipated approach to marketing the Islands for the next 12 months and will answer any questions from members on this vital area of the IP’s work.

The Islands’ Partnership is about to close the old SimplyScilly YouTube Channel.  For some months, the IP has been hosting two channels, with Visit Isles of Scilly running alongside SimplyScilly. The time has now come to close the incumbent SimplyScilly YouTube channel and focus our efforts wholeheartedly on the new brand. This means that if any member hasn’t done so already. they will need to update the film links on their own   online marketing materials, e.g. on their websites. The new link is: https://www.youtube.com/visitislesofscilly

The finalists in the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2014/15, sponsored by Hoseasons, have been announced, and one Scilly business is up for an award.

For the second year running, Hell Bay Hotel has been named as a finalist and will go up for a Gold, Silver or Bronze Award in the Small Hotel of the Year category at the Awards evening at the Headland Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall on Thursday 6^th November. Last year, Hell Bay Hotel won the Gold Award and went on to be represented at the VisitEngland awards.

Three other Scilly businesses were recognised in this year’s selection process with Commendations for Scilly Seal Snorkelling in the Tourism Activity, Sport & Experience Category; Peninnis Farm Luxury Camping in the Self Catering Holiday Category, and the Ruin Beach Café in the Restaurant Category.  The Islands’ Partnership was once again instrumental in encouraging members to take part in the Awards, and in assisting those businesses who came forward to write their extensive bids.

Robin Barker, Director of Services for Tourism who manages the awards programme comments: “Yet again the Isles of Scilly are punching above their weight in recognition of the quality of their leading tourism businesses.  Having one finalist and three commended entries in this year’s Cornwall Tourism Awards is a real coup, and all concerned are to be warmly congratulated.”

The Awards are presented by Visit Cornwall, the Cornwall Development Company tourism service. “To reach the finals in the Cornwall Tourism Awards is a worthy achievement and signifies success in a rigorous judging process which saw the businesses scored, mystery shopped and debated by a panel of industry professionals,” says Malcolm Bell, Head of Visit Cornwall. “This year was stronger than ever with a record number of entries, up 10% up on last year. It’s great to see many new entrants in the list of finalists as well as former winners who have continued to invest in their staff, services and marketing.”

The 21 award categories cover everything from hotels and restaurants to activities and tourist information centres, and for the first year include a new access and inclusivity category as well as one for dog-friendly tourism businesses. A Winner of Winners title and special Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award will also be presented on the night.