A new strategy for the Island's tourism, the Destination Management Plan 2016 to 2020, is to be launched later this month.

Minister for Economic Development, Laurence Skelly, confirmed that his department has been working on the Plan which was presented to Tynwald members in October last year.

Analysis of the Island's tourism sector, over the past decade, took place and results identified a number of areas of potential growth such as short-breaks and family markets.  There are plans to also extend the tourism season by staging key events in spring and autumn.

The Plan forecasts that visitor numbers and spend will increase by up to 20% by 2020.

The full Destination Management Plan will be publically launched on 23rd February at a presentation to industry stakeholders.

Photo - Courtesy of Ron Strathdee.