A NEW tourism service to replace the tourist information centres, axed by the Isle of Wight Council in its February budget, has been launched this week by Southern Vectis.
Visitor information points were opened from Monday at Newport Bus Station, Ryde Bus Station and Yarmouth Bus Station while visitor information assistants are being provided in Ryde, Newport, Yarmouth, Sandown, Shanklin and Cowes.
Their role will be to provide visitors with information they require and to advise on the facilities that are open to them.
In Newport, the current bus travel centre and waiting room has been refurbished and in Ryde, the former information office has been refitted after Southern Vectis agreed a lease for the office and bus station with South West Trains.
A new visitor information point will be opened in Shanklin in around three weeks.
In Cowes and Sandown, visitor information assistants will be provided at the pontoon and High Street respectively, providing a street presence in the busiest areas of the two towns.
Reporter: davidn@iwcpmail.co.uk