Company plans conferences boost

A new company is hoping it can boost the Isle of Man's conference trade.

Destination Isle of Man says it can offer a "one stop shop" for anyone planning a major event on the island.

Services provided include venue choice, online registration, speaker and finance management, travel arrangements and ground handling.

The new company hopes to work in partnership with the Manx Department of Tourism, which has welcomed the business opportunities it could create.

Incentive trips

Managing Director Laurence Skelly said: "We are looking to make it easy for conferences to choose to come to the Island.

"Destination Isle of Man offers a service which hasn't previously been available here - namely a one-stop shop for organisers of conferences, incentive trips, major events and product launches."

Tourism Minister David Cretney welcomed the new venture.

"My department has invested in world class facilities such as the Villa Marina and National Sports Centre, and there's an increasing choice of quality hotels which will welcome efforts to develop year round business," he said.