The Isle of Wight has proved to be a winner at the 24th annual Group Travel Awards in London.

Broadcaster Patrick Kielty presented the ceremony, via live feed broadcast on YouTube, on Thursday September 3.

The Isle of Wight was declared Best UK Destination for Groups.

Will Myles, MD at Visit Isle of Wight - the Island’s destination management organisation - said: "To have been shortlisted in this category is one thing, but to take top place is amazing! 

"The Isle of Wight is a special place, with so much natural beauty but also fantastic people and businesses that continue to work hard to ensure that it is the best place to visit!"

Isle of Wight County Press: Will Myles, the new managing director at Visit Isle of Wight. Contributed picture.

Will Myles, Visit Isle of Wight

Paul Harper, Sales and Marketing Director at Daish’s, which sponsored the award, said:

"This category is fiercely competitive due to the amazing destinations that the UK has to offer. 

"We were really pleased to announce the Isle of Wight as this year’s winner - given it’s where Daish’s Holidays started. It remains an exceptionally popular destination for our customers." 

Local firms are also celebrating.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Holiday company Isle of Wight Tours was named Best Group Tour Operator.
The Sandown-based business took the honours for the second time in two years and it is an award voted for by the public.

Shirley Winn, Managing Director of IOW Tours, said: "To have been recognised in the industry by our customers for this very prestigious award is fantastic! 

"A huge thanks to all our customers for voting for us and to all of our team for helping us to achieve it."

The Best Holiday Park for Groups was the Island’s Norton Grange Coastal Village.
The Warner Hotels venue beat local competition from Parkdean Resorts, at Lower Hyde Park, Shanklin.

Ken Younie, General Manager at Norton Grange Coastal Village said: "I’d like to say a massive thank you to the team here for their work, and thank you to the groups who have enjoyed their stay with us and continue to choose us as holiday destination."

Isle of Wight County Press:

A host of other Isle of Wight operators were nominated.

Meanwhile, Daish’s Holidays, which started on the Isle of Wight, took the award for Most Group Friendly Hotel Chain or Group.

Paul Harper, Sales and Marketing Director at Daish’s Holidays Ltd said: We were thrilled to once again win! [It] is a great recognition of all the hard work each and every member of the Daish’s team puts in every day when they come to work!" 

In March, the Island won the Countryfile Magazine Award.

MP Bob Seely said: “It’s fantastic news that the Isle of Wight has been crowned the UK’s Best Destination.

“Those of us who live here already know what an amazing place the Island is but it’s great that it’s been recognised nationally.

“Securing this award is testament to the hard work that Visit Isle of Wight has put in along with Isle of Wight businesses to make us such a great place to visit.

“Daish’s Holidays, IOW Tours, Norton Grange deserve great credit for winning their categories and well done to all those who were shortlisted.

“It’s been a difficult few months but awards like this really give a boost to the Island and promote ourselves nationally as a high quality place to visit.”

Find the full list of winners HERE.