A new private sector-led organisation is to be created with the help of £3m of public funding to promote the Isle of Wight as a visitor destination under plans announced by the council.

Isle of Wight Council (IWC) will consult with the island's tourism sector on the proposals, which will lead to the establishment of the new destination management organisation.

According to the local authority, plans comply with government tourism policy that includes the creation of partnership-based tourism organisations led by the industry.

IWC cabinet member for the economy and the environment George Brown said: "This is an ideal vehicle for the tourism industry to have more of a say in how the island is developed and marketed as the major visitor destination it is.

"In these most difficult of financial times it is an important commitment of the council to consider allocating a significant sum of its discretionary spending to tourism for the next nine years."

Details: www.iwight.com

Image: Christophe.Finot