Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent, relaunched the Hoverettes to hand out chocolates and sing to passengers travelling from Southsea last night (21 December).

Neil Chapman Hovertravel Managing Director said: "We first launched the Hoverettes back in September to help raise money for charity by singing to passengers. Now that Christmas is approaching we have relaunched the Hoverettes to sing Christmas pop songs to our commuters and hand out some chocolates to help get everyone in the Christmas spirit."

The Hoverettes will be performing in the Ryde terminal this evening (22 December) from 16h00 to 19h00. Commuters travelling tonight can pick up a chocolate treat and sing along to Christmas classics like "I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus" and "Jingle Bell Rock" with the Hoverettes.

Santa chooses Hovertravel to help deliver his Christmas presents
Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight foot passenger service across the Solent, helps Santa to deliver Christmas presents across the Solent using their fast, frequent and reliable Hover Parcels service. Santa is reminding islanders that they can have their mainland packages delivered to Southsea hoverport, ready for collection from Ryde, or even straight to their door.

Neil Chapman, managing director of Hovertravel says: "In the past few years we have seen an increase in parcel deliveries due to online shopping and with ebay and Amazon becoming increasingly popular. People often need their items as quickly as possible in the lead up to Christmas and with some items being fragile it is important to use a service that takes sufficient care when handling and delivering parcels.

“With our frequent and fast service, Hover Parcels is the most efficient way to transport parcels between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. As well as carrying items for Santa, our service is widely used by businesses such as auto trade, pharmacy and retail."

The Hover Parcels service includes frequent transfers between Portsmouth and Ryde, between 06h30 and 20:35, 7 days a week.

Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight foot passenger service across the Solent, was greeted by John Penrose, MP for Weston-super-Mare.

John Penrose visited at the invitation of the Island's MP Andrew Turner as part of a programme of visits to destinations across the country. He crossed the Solent with Hovertravel and visited Osborne House and Sandown Zoo.

Neil Chapman, Hovertravel Managing Director said: "As the fastest way to cross the Solent and a unique tourist attraction in its own right, Hovertravel welcomed the Minister For Tourism, John Penrose onboard. We believe that the Island has much to offer tourists from around the globe and we are collaborating with several partners to increase the numbers of visitors."

Hovertravel, the fastest service across the Solent, launched the Hoverettes yesterday (26 September 2010) in aid of the big Pink Aerobics session which took place in Newport to mark the end of the Breast Cancer Campaign's 'Isle of Pink' fundraising month.

Loretta Lale, Commercial and Marketing manager at Hovertravel, said: "As well as giving free travel to Pink Aerobics participants we arranged for the Hoverettes to sing to our passengers during the morning.  This was the first outing for the Hoverettes and their efforts added an extra sparkle on a grey autumnal Sunday morning.  The girls also boosted our fundraising for the Isle of Pink Breast Cancer Campaign by encouraging passengers to make donations."

The Hoverettes were themed in pink with pink dresses and massive hot pink wigs to make them even more noticeable. As Hovertravel launched in 1965, the Hoverettes covered a medley of hits from the charts of that year.

Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight foot passenger service across the Solent, has teamed up with Gunwharf Quays to charter a secret hovercraft from the fireworks spectacular on 29 October 2010 at 7:30pm.

Neil Chapman, Hovertravel Managing Director said: "We tried to keep the charter a secret as we are transporting some of the Island’s VIPs to the event, but our competition for members of the public to attend has caused the word to spread quickly, now everyone is talking about it.

"The competition was publicised through Island bloggers and everyone has jumped at the chance to win a free VIP return trip to the event. This includes entrance into the Slug and Lettuce for complimentary drinks and canapés whilst watching the fireworks display in our exclusive VIP area. Then for a truly unique trip back to Ryde, the hovercraft will depart from Gunwharf Marina at the later time of 21h30. Gunwharf Quays always put on a spectacular fireworks display and we are delighted to join forces to put on this VIP event."

Hovertravel, the fastest service across the Solent, has joined forces with The Garlic Farm, the UK's premier grower of garlic, to offer free garlic tasting on Saturday 30 October; just in time to use the garlic as a defence for the ghostly celebrations on Halloween.

The Isle of Wight has long been acknowledged as the world's most haunted island. With many acclaimed spirit hunters pointing to the 'ley' lines around the Island, it is no wonder that this small island has everything from phantom monks, grey ladies and poltergeists to the spirits of smugglers and shipwrecked seamen who walk the lonely beaches. It is said that there is a haunted police station, courthouse, lighthouse, library and council offices, and one phantom convict is still serving an 'afterlife' sentence in Parkhurst Prison.

For thousands of years garlic has been seen as offering a way to ward off evil and The Garlic Farm, based in Newchurch on the Isle of Wight, has a Europe-wide reputation as the expert source of knowledge on garlic and sells a wide variety of products from garlic chocolate through to Vampire Relish - a tomato salsa with garlic undertones.

Loretta Lale, marketing manager at Hovertravel, explains, "With a variety of events running over the Halloween weekend including several ghost walks and a close encounter ghost tour at Carisbrooke Castle, we thought we should offer some free protection for our passengers. Obviously as the fastest service to and from the Isle of Wight, we also provide the best escape route if the half-term Halloween horrors become too frightful."

Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent, has created the perfect way to chill after this year’s Bestival (9th – 12th September).

As thousands of festival goers will be leaving the island after the event, Hovertravel is staging a Comedown session with Isle of Wight radio on the morning of Monday 13 September.

Neil Chapman, Hovertravel's Managing Director said: "Bestival creates such a fabulous party atmosphere, we wanted to extend the party feeling for everyone returning from the festival. It is always a busy time for us as festival goers want the quickest way home. We will have live DJ’s playing laid back tunes and we are also giving out free water, all creating a chilled vibe at our Ryde terminal on Monday 13 September. It’s the perfect end to the perfect weekend."

Bestival takes place from 09 September to 12 September.

Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent, is once again supporting Breast Cancer Campaign’s Isle of Pink month to help raise money for the charity throughout September.
Loretta Lale, Commercial and Marketing manager at Hovertravel, said: "We have been supporting this Breast Cancer Campaign for the past 2 years and it is a fun and rewarding way of raising money and spreading awareness of the charity.

"Our terminals and craft have been transformed by turning pink. It creates a lot of excitement and our customers always comment on the tremendous effort we make to help raise money." In addition to turning pink, Hovertravel has added an optional 50p donation for customers to make when purchasing tickets at the terminals. Pink month is set to finish with a big ‘Pink aerobics’ session taking place on the island on Sunday 26 September, which Hovertravel will be supporting by providing entertainment for those travelling to and from the event.

The 'Isle of Pink' is a fundraising initiative organised by Breast Cancer Campaign in order to raise extra funds during Breast Cancer Awareness Month for vital research into breast cancer.

Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent, has put on a special charter to fly Dippy the Penguin, from the Seaview Wildlife Encounter, from Portsmouth to Ryde.

Dippy the Penguin, said: "I chose Hovertravel for my journey across the Solent because they are the greenest way to travel. The speedy ten minute journey means they are using less fuel, which results in less drag and less friction. Environmentally friendly travel is important to me and my fellow penguins back in South America and that’s why we love Hovertravel, their craft helps protect me and my friends.

"You don’t even need a car to come and visit me on the island, I live at the Seaview Wildlife Encounter, which is just a short walk away from the hoverport."

Dippy is hugely famous on the island, he is no ordinary penguin. Dippy loves posing for pictures, socialising with humans and he is even on Facebook. Anyone travelling to the island with Hovertravel should stroll along to the wildlife park to visit him.

Hovertravel, the fastest way to travel between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth, has improved its School Academic Year Season card and opened it up to adults. The card gives customers unlimited travel between 01 September and 31 July, including the Christmas and Easter holidays.

Neil Chapman, managing director at Hovertravel, said: "An increasing proportion of our commuter travellers are school children and teachers, therefore it is important to us that our season ticket accommodates their needs.

“We have improved the academic season card because after speaking with parents and teachers, we have discovered that the card should be made available to adults as well as children, the school holidays should not be excluded and monthly direct debits are preferred."

The adult card costs £1080 for those paying by cash or £1100 if a monthly direct debit is set up. The child card is £705 in cash or £720 for direct debit. Six and 12 month season cards are no longer available for children.

Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent, is the best way for islanders to travel to this year's long awaited BeachBuggin’ 2010 event at  Southsea Common this weekend.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of BeachBuggin' and all things Volkswagen, Hovertravel organised for a VW campervan to visit the Ryde terminal. The show will take place on 15 August 2010 from 09h00 until 17h00 at Southsea Common. The event which showcases some of the most amazing VWs always attracts enthusiasts, clubs, traders and the general public.  This unique show is free for all spectators visiting on foot.

Neil Chapman, managing director of Hovertravel, said: "This summer there are some great events planned for Southsea Common and the VW BeachBuggin' show is a must see for all VW enthusiasts. Hovertravel's ten minute service across the Solent is the best way for Island VW fans to travel to the show and our Southsea terminal is directly opposite the event venue." 

Hovertravel, the fastest route to the Isle of Wight, took one of their craft into Portsmouth Harbour for the first time on Monday to help promote the speed of the journey from Ryde to Gunwharf Quays.

Neil Chapman, Hovertravel Managing Director, said: "The hovercraft has never entered Portsmouth Harbour before so we thought this was a great occasion for a one off photo opportunity to support our service which enables customers to travel between Ryde and Gunwharf Quays in well under twenty minutes".

Hovertravel's service between Ryde and Southsea takes just under ten minutes and the Hoverbus which departs from outside the terminal takes approx four minutes to reach Gunwharf Quays, Hampshire's premier shopping outlet and biggest entertainment complex.

Gunwharf Quays has over 95 designer outlets, 30 bars and restaurants, a health and fitness centre, Vue cinema, Bowlplex, Holiday Inn Express and the famous Tiger Tiger nightclub. With Hovertravel providing the fastest service between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth, getting to Gunwharf Quays is a quick and easy experience for anyone looking for a fun day out.

Hovertravel, the fastest way to the Isle of Wight, has been preparing for UK's longest running and most successful sporting event, Cowes Week, beginning this week. Cowes Week takes place from July 31st until 7 August this year and for those attending the event from London, you can reach the island in the quickest way possible by travelling with Hovertravel in under ten minutes. Cowes Week is the world's most famous sailing regatta, with almost 1,000 yachts and 8,000 competitors taking part in some outstanding sailing.

Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent, is the perfect way to reach the Island as quickly as possible and entertain children during the school holidays this year.

With the Isle of Wight having some of the nicest beaches in the UK as well as countless attraction to keep the kids quiet, it is the perfect place for a family day out. Hovertravel’s service between Portsmouth and Ryde takes under ten minutes, so there is no need to worry about keeping children entertained during the flight. As the only scheduled Hovercraft operator in the whole of Europe, the Hovertravel experience is one the kids will not forget.

Neil Chapman, managing director of Hovertravel, explains, “For many children the trip on our hovercraft is the first time they have seen this type of vehicle and they are fascinated by the whole operation.” Hovertravel has deals will all the major attractions on the Island, so day trips are hassle free and cost effective. Choose from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Blackgang Chine, the Isle of Wight Zoo and many more places to spend the day and soak up the sunshine.

Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent, welcomed six Chelsea Pensioners on board their hovercraft as they made their way to celebrate Armed Forces Day on the Isle of Wight.

Neil Chapman, Managing Director of Hovertravel said: "It was my pleasure to personally greet the pensioners as they boarded our hovercraft. Everyone at Hovertravel was very proud to honour these extraordinary veterans, who have sacrificed so much for our country, by escorting them to the Island. The sight of this unique group of celebrated individuals beside our iconic British hovercraft is an image we will all treasure."

On the Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day is being celebrated tomorrow ( Saturday 26 June 2010) in Ryde, where over 150 veterans will gather together at just one of the events across the country showing support for the military community.

Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent, saw an 8% increase in the number of passengers using their hovercraft, whilst putting on a HoverFest for people travelling to the Isle of Wight Festival this weekend.

Neil Chapman, Managing Director of Hovertravel, said: "Hovertravel is a firm favourite with festival goers. This year we launched the first ever HoverFest which saw local DJ’s entertain hundreds of festival goers as they queued to board the hovercraft from the Southsea terminal. We helped get the party started for customers and staff worked hard to put on extra services to transport over thousands of bags, thousands of tents and  10,000 wellies.

Hovertravel is the fastest way to the Isle of Wight, as well as being the most entertaining, with specially prepared DJ mixes being broadcast on our hovercraft during the trip across the Solent."

Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent, has implemented changes to their timetable, effective of Monday 07 June 2010.

The first hovercraft from Ryde to Southsea will depart at 06h15, which is 15 minutes earlier than the current service, ensuring that passengers commuting into London can arrive before 09h00 and the last hovercraft will depart at 20h15.   The first hovercraft from Southsea to Ryde will depart at 06h45, and the last hovercraft will depart at 20h30.

Managing Director of Hovertravel, Neil Chapman, said: “Our new service is better synchronised with both Island Railways and South West Trains, allowing customers who are commuting via train as well have reduced waiting times at our Hovertravel Terminals. During peak hours we run a service every 15 minutes, and at other times we run every half an hour.”

In addition to the new timetable Hovertravel has introduced a 40 travel card at £170, valid all year round. This has been put in place of the weekly and frequent flyer card, therefore a passenger who travels four weeks of the year can save £14 with the new travel card.

Neil Chapman adds: "Hovertravel pricing remained unchanged since January 2009, although our 2% price rise will come into action on Monday 07 June, we still remain cheaper than our competitor, by up to 16% for season card holders".