THE Island faces a 'war’ between publishers of rival holiday guidebooks, the chairman of a tourist association said this week.
Tens of thousands of copies of two pocket guides are planned for the 2013 season and two sets of sales staff are competing for advertising in the pocket publications.
"People don’t want or need two guides," said chairman of the Isle of Wight Visitor Attractions’ Association, Martin Simpson.
"It leaves both advertisers and visitors confused.
"Advertisers will either be faced with the expensive option of advertising in both or choosing one, which means it will not be a comprehensive guide for visitors."
Island Holiday Media, headed by former Island Tourism boss Tim Addison, is producing one guide.
It previously produced the pocket guide for the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Industry before planning to produce its own for 2013.
The chamber, too, is pressing ahead with its own guide.
Chamber chief executive Kevin Smith said: "There has been an array of competing commercial tourism publications and websites on the Island for many years.
"We have no control over the activity of commercial organisations and nor would we wish to have.
"We have been producing our latest range of tourism publications, along with the GoWight website, for the past four years and will continue to do so, on the basis the income they generate is re-invested in marketing the Island as a visitor destination."
Island Holiday Media declined to comment.
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk