1. visitislesofscilly.com
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661,890 visits in 2015/16 (18% up on previous year)
81% of whom are looking for ideas of things to do and places to stay – make sure they find you
7,669 direct accommodation enquiries to members (49% up on previous year)
Rated as the most useful source of information by visitors panning their trip to Scilly
No. 1 in Google for all relevant searches

2. Email Marketing 69% increase in the size of our customer database
Monthly newsletters achieve 30%+ open rates (well above the industry average)
Click-throughs to advertisers can also be several hundred per newsletter

3. Print Record demand for 2016 Guide
Received British Destinations Best Brochure Award
30,000 print-run for our brochure – targeted nationwide distribution
10,702 digital guide views
Specially commissioned maps for use in our pocket map guide

4. Research
Our 2015 Visitor Survey (our biggest ever) revealed some interesting insight into the behaviour of our visitors and provides useful trends for us to learn from
30% of visitors to Scilly are new to the islands
50% of these first time visitors come on a short break
40% of visitors come from the Southwest region
41% are booking their visit online

5. Social Media
40% growth in following across social media platforms in the past year
Up to 17,000 reach per post
Over 13,000 “likes” on Facebook
Over 4,000 followers Twitter

6. Public Relations 144 pieces of media coverage achieved
Scilly featured in The Guardian, Daily Mail, Food & Travel Magazine…
Scilly voted best UK family destination at the 2015 Family Traveller Awards

7. Content New photography and video content commissioned
Record entries to our annual photography competition

8. Overseas & Travel Trade
Scilly prominently featured throughout £5m campaign to increase overseas visitors to the SW region
Attended major overseas exhibitions in London, Sweden, The Netherlands and Germany
Over 30% increase in visits to website from target international markets

9. Cruise Ships 51 Crusie Ships came to the islands in 2016
15 different Cruise Operators came to the islands in 2016
Over 10,500 passengers came ashore to St. Mary’s.
Over the last year we have continued to coordinate the cruise ship welcome ambassador programme providing a friendly, local meet & greet service for cruise ship passengers

10. Tourist Information
In our first year we saw more than 45,000 people pass through the doors of the TIC
We also dealt with a further 4,000+ enquiries via phone and
We’re proud to be delivering this vital and valued service and will continue to make improvements throughout this year to ensure the very best possible service for our visitors and for our businesses

12. Walk Scilly This year’s Walk Scilly was the biggest ever
29 walks took place and almost 500 tickets sold
Boosting the economy in the early part of the season.

13. Isles of Scilly Festival
Inaugural Isles of Scilly Festival incorporating Art Scilly Week
Over 80 individual events
An eclectic mix of talks, workshops and performances that showcased our local island culture

14. OTILLO
Scilly became the UK’s first and only location to play host to the OTILLO World Swimrun Series
Over 200 competitors took part from 18 different countries
This event caused a considerable social media boom with a reach of 121,000 on Facebook and extensive world media coverage as far afield as Japan

15. The Islands’ Regatta
The inaugural Islands' Regatta over the August bank holiday has been hailed a huge success
A fantastic weekend of maritime themed celebrations, with classic boats, pirate cruises and live music topped off by an aerobatic display from the Red Arrows
Following the event feedback, from local businesses, echoed that it had been a financial success.

16. Taste of Scilly September saw yet another new festival for Scilly
Taste of Scilly was a month long celebration of the islands’ fantastic food & drink offering
Almost 50 individual events took place including pop-up barbecues, produce market and the unique Low Tide Experience

17. Walk Scilly Weekend
The October Walk Scilly Weekend is an effective shoulder season draw
16 different walks across the 5 days across 7 islands
This year due to demand it takes place over 5 days rather than 2

18. 2015 in Numbers 7.7% increase in staying visitors
121,633 visitors in 2015
21,081 day trips in 2015
12,632 cruise ship visitors