Once again, Manx2.com has been busy promoting the Isle of Man throughout the UK and Ireland in 2011. As well as attending numerous shows and events, Manx2’s team has worked with Isle of Man Tourism to welcome numerous journalists as well as dedicating time and commitment to a number of worthy community events. The year started with exhibitions at the Holiday World Shows in Belfast and Dublin in January, and in April, Manx2.com was invited to Anglesey’s ‘One Big Day’ Royal Wedding celebrations. In June, Manx2 joined IOM Tourism at the Three Counties Show in Worcestershire, the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate and the Royal Welsh Show followed in July, with the Anglesey Show in August. Supported by IOM Tourism, Manx2.com also hosted a number of travel writers and journalists in the Island. As well as working hard to showcase the Isle of Man, Manx2.com is actively involved in and around its destination airports. In July, several journalists from the Isle of Man’s own media spent the day in the Cheltenham and Gloucester area and, in July, Gloucestershire Airport was also the location of a world record attempt for the ‘Fastest airport in the world’. Isle of Man-based staff at Manx2.com nominated Hospice Isle of Man as their charity for 2011. The charity was given 52 flights, one for every week of the year, which they have used to help raise funds towards running costs of ?3.5 million per year. All in all, Manx2.com helped raise ?26,000 for the charity, ?4,000 of which was a result of a plane-pull event at Isle of Man Airport supported by several other local companies. Manx2.com was also proud to be one of the sponsors of the Isle of Man Swimming Championships and Victoria Road School was welcomed on a tour of the Manx2.com facilities at IOM Airport as part of the school’s education programme. For 2011 Manx2.com introduced a number of new flights and routes to its timetable. A summer season of flights between the Isle of Man and Anglesey took off from 1st June and there was a special series of flights between Cardiff and the Isle of Man during the TT period. A new schedule of business-friendly flights to Belfast City Airport was launched at the start of September, with the earliest flight departing at 0730 and an additional return flight every Saturday was added to the Newcastle timetable. December marked one year since the start of the twice daily weekday service between Cardiff and Anglesey, which Manx2.com and partner carrier FLM Aviation operate on behalf of the Welsh Government. The same month Manx2.com organised for Manx Radio’s ‘Alex in the Afternoon’ to broadcast live from Belfast and there are plans in place for further live broadcasts throughout 2012, starting with Cheltenham later this month. Chairman of Manx2.com Noel Hayes said: ‘Our team is enthusiastic and dedicated to telling everyone about the Isle of Man, which is why we attend shows across the British Isles and Ireland and welcome journalists and writers here, who without fail, appreciate the Island’s charms. We work closely with IOM Tourism and others in our industry throughout the year and together we’re already planning for 2012. ‘Many of our new routes and additional flights are introduced in response to the needs of our customers, who remain loyal. In return, we try our utmost to maintain our high standards of customer service and value for money. From everyone at Manx2.com, we wish you a prosperous 2012.’ John Shimmin MHK, Minister for the Department of Economic Development said: ‘Throughout 2011 we’ve seen Manx2.com working very hard to promote themselves and the Island both here and across the water and appreciate the contribution it makes to our visitor economy. Within Government we promote the idea of “freedom to flourish” and the team at Manx2.com certainly embodies that spirit.’ Ends