Residents of the Isles of Scilly who are members of the Steamship Group’s Travel Club are now able to make bookings for discounted air and sea travel online for the first time following the launch of a dedicated portal on www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk
The Steamship Group provides significant reductions in the cost of travel for permanent island residents as part of its commitment to multi-modal lifeline transport services.
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group developed the function after 78% of islanders requested to be able to book travel online in December’s survey of island residents.
Rob Goldsmith, Chief Executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, said: “Earlier this year we significantly increased air travel discounts for island residents in winter months in response to the survey of views, so we are delighted to deliver another key benefit that was requested by a large number of people. We look forward to working on a range of further improvements to our services this year”.
The islanders’ portal www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/islander-news-and-booking includes other useful information such as a live vessel tracker for both Scillonian III and Gry Maritha, real-time travel updates for Scillonian III and Skybus, freight information and downloadable forms.
There are also free images, logos and videos to download in order to help islanders advertise their own businesses.
In addition, the company is hoping to expand the online service with additional freight functionality and a facility for islanders to amend their travel arrangements.
Sharon Sandercock, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, said: “Three quarters of Travel Club members said they would like to be able to book their travel online and we have developed this portal as a direct result of this feedback. I am delighted to say Travel Club bookings are now being taken online, as well as through the travel centres in Penzance and St Mary’s and by phone.
“We believe this facility will be invaluable to islanders. The portal also includes easy access to our latest service information, special price fares and unique island resident offers and news.”
The company will shortly be writing to all Travel Club members informing them how to access their online accounts and a guide to the booking process.