‘Tourism Shouldn’t be Seen as a Threat’

A tourist accommodation provider has spoken out about the importance of the tourism industry within the local economy and communities.

John Keggin managing director of Island Escapes told Manx.News that tourism shouldn’t be seen as a threat against housing shortages in local communities.

He said: “A number of the properties that come onboard with us are properties that perhaps wouldn’t be used for anything else, they would just be sat there empty.”

John also explained that not every property enquiry is suitable for tourism, and not all applications are successful as certain properties are only suitable for residential use.

Based on Visit Isle of Man’s data on average visitor spend of £576 and Island Escapes hosting more than 10,000 guests over 120 properties last year, the company helped generate approximately £5.76million of visitor spend.

When split across the properties managed by the company that equates to approximately £48,000 of visitor spend into the local economy.

Community Comes First

The managing director of the Castletown based company emphasised how important the community is to the company’s ethos.

John said: “We are supporting the community, we are very much part of the community, so I think tourism shouldn’t be seen as a threat.

“It creates jobs for people, it creates support for local businesses.”

Commissioners Against Tourism

A Port Erin Commissioner told Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper that she will always object to planning applications for new tourist accommodation in the town saying “homes need to be lived in”.

Hannah Mackenzie said she would like to see young families, and professionals, prioritised for empty properties to help “rebuild” communities instead.

During his chat to Manx.News, John Keggin reached out to Port Erin Commissioners saying he’d like the business and the commissioners to work together to look at empty and vacant properties, and how to get them back to being lived in.