Focus group input to shape future ferry services

Four focus groups took place over two nights in Douglas last week

A series of focus groups has been held to create "a better understanding" of ferry passengers' experiences and will feed into a broader public survey, the Manx operator has said.

Four independently held sessions were hosted over two evenings to hear the perspectives of island residents from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said the findings would inform questions set to be asked in a public online survey scheduled to be launched in August.

Managing director Brian Thomson said it was "important for people to feel heard but also for the company to have that insight into individuals' thinking".

He said the research had been driven by a "desire to find out customers needs" and to educate the ferry firm.

"A lot of weight is placed on social media but this is a way to give the broader public a say," he said.

'Realistic'

While the company promoted a call for passenger to join the forum, the sessions were conducted by an independent market research firm, who in turn employed another company to arrange the focus groups.

It was important the ferry firm was not involved in the process as if it was not independent "then we don’t benefit from it", Mr Thompson said.

However, he said the findings and suggestions from the focus groups and survey had to "be realistic".

"We'll have to see what the results are, and how they marry with the company's goals about being a long-term sustainable company," he added.