The Isles of Scilly has today launched its new flagship destination website, visitislesofscilly.com.
The new site, which features integrated online booking options, has been developed by the Islands’ Partnership, Scilly’s official Destination Management Organisation, with additional ERDF funding support from the Isles of Scilly’s Voucher Scheme programme.
The new booking functionality means many of Scilly’s accommodation businesses will be available to be booked online for the very first time – achieving a major objective of the investment.
David Jackson, Executive Director of the Islands’ Partnership says: “We’re really excited to be launching the new visitislesofscilly.com website after several months of development work alongside our technical partners, New Mind | tellUs. We’ve listened to our visitors, who have been asking for the ability to book online for some time and I’m delighted to say, this new site delivers that – and more.
“With tourism being the lifeblood of Scilly’s economy, we know just how important the website is to the islands and our businesses,” he continues. “It’s vital that the new visitislesofscilly.com not only builds on the really strong foundations we’ve developed over the past few years, but also helps to spearhead the continued recovery and growth of our visitor economy.”
The new site is expected to receive more than 700,000 visitors in its first year and will be at the forefront of Scilly’s refreshed brand and marketing push for 2019 as the archipelago’s tourism sector continues to revitalise and extends its season.
In addition to the new integrated accommodation booking options, the site contains a host of new features, including “MyScilly” trip planning tools, enhanced mapping and site-wide full screen imagery and video content.
John Peacock of St. Agnes Boating and Director of the Islands’ Partnership adds: “This new site is helping to trigger a real step-change on the islands. From our extensive visitor surveys over the past couple of years, we know that the majority of our visitors want to book online – and this new investment is a major step towards achieving this. The innovative ‘polling’ engine that sits behind the site means any number of businesses and booking systems are integrated with the new website – making it easier for both visitors and businesses to trade online for the first time.”
Richard Veal, Director of European Operations at New Mind | tellUs adds: “We are absolutely thrilled to have worked with the Visit Isles of Scilly team on their new website. The resulting website design is as beautiful as any destination website from around the world, and is therefore perfect for showcasing a location as iconic and visually stunning as Scilly. With inspiring content to complement the beautiful imagery, and some excellent functionality to assist the visitor in their holiday planning – including online booking for the first time – the new Isles of Scilly website will be considered a flagship project for New Mind | tellUs, and one of which both parties can be rightfully proud.”
Further additions and developments are planned for the new site over the coming weeks coinciding with the launch of the official 2019 Isles of Scilly Visitor Guide, which will also showcase the same refreshed branding and stunning new photography of the islands.