Wightlink, a leading provider of cross-Solent travel, will again be transporting tourists to the Isle of Wight for this summer season and beyond.
While the UK Government has given the green light to England?s hospitality and tourism sector to reopen, Wightlink is set to be at the forefront of restarting tourism to the Isle of Wight from July 4.
?While our ferries have continued to operate throughout the pandemic, providing travel for key workers to and from the Isle of Wight, as well as facilitating the flow of essential goods and services, we are well and truly ready and are launching a campaign to welcome more passengers back on board,? said Keith Greenfield, Wightlink CEO.
Wightlink has unveiled a robust list of new COVID-compliant protocols to ensure customer and crew safety and comfort. Wightlink?s ferries naturally lend themselves well to social distancing, with spacious lounges on board, as well as open sun decks and access to fresh air, along with views of the Solent. However added safety measures now in place include: Easy vehicle check-in with Wightlink staff communicating via intercom system and use of automatic number plate recognition; wearing face coverings on all crossings; food and beverage outlets open for takeaway only, in addition to vending machine access; capacity reduction and signage to comply with social distancing measures; increased cleaning onboard and availability of hand sanitiser and achievement of the VisitBritain Industry Standard Mark, We?re Good To Go.
Awarded UNESCO Biosphere status in 2019, the Isle of Wight is one of the UK?s favourite holiday destinations, with breathtaking sea views, award-winning beaches, unspoiled rolling rural landscapes. Even as restrictions for travelling abroad ease, the island is likely to remain a firm favourite, especially for cautious travellers.
The Isle of Wight is a 45-minute ferry ride away with Wightlink. A car ferry crossing from Portsmouth to Fishbourne costs from ?56.50 (based on day return crossings on Saturday, July 4 on the Portsmouth to Fishbourne route) and for foot passengers, Wightlink?s tickets cost ?14.40 per person.
Wightlink?s Portsmouth-Fishbourne route is currently operating a temporarily reduced timetable, with additional sailings being added from July 13. The Lymington-Yarmouth car ferry and Portsmouth Harbour-Ryde Pier Head FastCat services are currently suspended but flexible advance bookings are welcome.
Image Credit: Kiloran/ Flickr