Manx2.com in conjunction with the Department of Economic Development’s Tourism Division has been busy again during 2010 promoting the Isle of Man as a destination at a wide variety of events throughout the UK and Ireland. Appearances this year have included the 2010 Motorcycle Show in London’s Docklands, Belfast World exhibition, the Three Counties Show in Malvern, Worcestershire; the Great Yorkshire Show; the Great Eccleston Show in, Lancashire; the Fairford Air Show; Anglesey Show and, most recently, the Blackpool Tourism and Leisure Show at the end of September Noel Hayes, Chairman, Manx2.com: ‘Since January, we’ve taken the Isle of Man message to many thousands of people, and distributed thousands of Isle of Man Tourism’s one-stop guides and accommodation brochures promoting the Island, including via all our airport ticket and check-in desks.’ Press Visits In addition to exhibitions and shows, visits by journalists are a key element of promoting the Island. In May, Manx2.com arranged an event at Belfast’s exclusive Apartment restaurant to help promote the Island– also attended by Rod Nipper (Director, Isle of Man Tourism). In June, Tourism Political Member Geoff Corkish MBE MHK and Tourism Communications Manager Angela Crebbin flew to Gloucester Airport with us to promote the island in Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Cheltenham, including civic welcomes by the Mayors of Cheltenham and Gloucester. Last month, Manx2.com and Isle of Man Tourism funded and arranged a press trip for journalists from Galway and the West of Ireland. Spending a weekend in the Island; their itinerary included tours of Tynwald, the Gaiety Theatre, a boat trip from Douglas to Laxey for a visit to the Lady Isabella and a trip up Snaefell, plus visits to Peel, Castletown and the South of the Island, including a chance to meet a real Manx cat. This trip resulted in many positive articles about the island in the Irish media. Isle of Man Manx2.com also plays its part in key Isle of Man events; for TT fortnight they meet and greet Manx2.com TT visitors and this year Manx2.com have hosted stands at both the Southern and Royal Manx Agricultural Shows. On Tynwald Day Manx2.com flew a group of the island’s VIP visitors around the historic TT course to promote the beauty and variety of the island to visitors on a tight timescale. Manx2.com Chairman Noel Hayes said: ‘It’s crucial we engage with the key catchment areas to both spread and reinforce the appeal of the Island as a destination and business centre, plus support major Island community events. ‘Attending shows takes major commitment of people and finance and I know it’s always a delight to represent the Island to people throughout the UK and Ireland. With our network covering Leeds/Bradford, Blackpool, Newcastle and Gloucester plus Belfast, Cork and Galway airports we can provide easy access to the Island to an increasing range of communities. ‘We work closely with Government and airport partners to maximise the Isle of Man message and we are grateful for the support and physical presence of Isle of Man Tourism staff who help us showcase the Island’s treasures.’ Angela Crebbin, Isle of Man Tourism’s Communications Manager, said: ‘Isle of Man Tourism has developed a good working relationship with our partners Manx2.com during the year and we are fully supportive of their efforts and initiatives. It is particularly pleasing that the airline has expanded their route network which appeals to both business and leisure visitors and is very important to our Island’s economy. Manx2.com employs 60 staff and has a fleet of seven aircraft providing up to 30 flights a day to the Isle of Man. Manx2.com is proud to be a small Isle of Man based company carrying 100,000 passengers a year between the Isle of Man and Blackpool, Belfast, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Gloucester and Jersey. It has been voted the Island’s best small company for the second time in three years at the annual IOM Newspapers Excellence Awards. In October 2010 Manx2.com topped a poll of air operators to and from the Island for providing the best service in an independent survey by Isle of Man Newspapers. Latest info updated on Manx2.com.com’s twitter feed on www.manx2.com Ends