Ferry operator, Wightlink, which has been connecting passengers with the Isle of Wight from ports across Hampshire since 1972. Each year, 3.8 million people embark on one of its 140 daily sailings.

Tourist information, such as what’s on, where to eat, accommodation and activities, was posted across Wightlink’s then* website in an inconsistent and hard-to-find way. Through previous research, we knew that many travellers to the Isle of Wight didn’t know much about the destination. The solution was to create a central, cohesive hub to host all this information, helping customers to plan the best possible break on the Island.

*Read about how we created a brand new, faster website for Wightlink

We created an interactive map - the Wightlink Explorer - which features places of interest across the Isle of Wight with accompanying detail. Users have the opportunity to filter by category as well as narrow down listings by proximity. Zooming and panning on the interactive map filters down and hides the listings displayed on the left-hand column. If a map marker is no longer visible on the map, the corresponding card will no longer be displayed, making the results clear and relevant. 

We also implemented geolocation to display the user’s current location, making the Explorer a useful tool when it comes to locating particular events or activities when in-situ on the Isle of Wight - a feature which encourages repeat visits to the website.