Improvements needed at Manx ports, MHK says

Improvements are needed at the Isle of Man's ports in an effort to enhance tourism, an MHK has said.

Jason Moorhouse criticised the state and cleanliness of parts of the Sea Terminal and Ronaldsway Airport.

He said the "first and final moments on the island have a powerful impact both on visitors and residents".

Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston said a "visitor first" committee, focused on an "ongoing improvement programme", was already being established within Visit Isle of Man.

It would be made up of private and public sector stakeholders alongside an independent chairman, to be in place by March, he said.

Members debated the island's "visitor experience" in Tynwald this week.

Clare Christian MHK called for Mr Johnston to ensure the committee looked at the ports specifically, to "make every step of the journey, from booking to border control to arrival, a seamless and delightful experience".

"By providing a smooth and enjoyable experience we ensure our visitors have a fantastic time, creating a desire to return," she added.

Last year Visit Isle of Man launched its strategy to increase the number of holidaymakers to 500,000 by 2032.

Rob Callister, who is the member responsible for tourism and motorsport, called for a "serious discussion" about creating a new government department to focus "on the island's tourism, heritage, culture, transport and the arts".

Its "core principle" would be to increase tourism numbers over the next 15 years, he said.

The previous Department of Community, Culture and Leisure, which had responsibility for heritage, culture, transport and the arts but not tourism, was dissolved in 2014.

Daphne Caine MHK, who previously worked in that department, said: "We have an embarrassment of an attractions on the island, but possibly not enough funding to divide amongst them all."

She said the visit agency was "the right place to take control" of that because it had "enormous amounts of research" and a "plan for the 10 year strategy".

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook, external and X, external? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]