Isle of Man (Douglas, UK)

Isle of Man (aka Mann) is one of the UK (British Crown) dependencies - together with the Channle Islands Guernsey and Jersey. As such, Jersey is independently administered and is not part of either the UK or the British Overseas Territories. Like Guernsey, Man Island is located in Irish Sea, between Northern Ireland and England.

The island covers a total area of 572 km2 (221 ml2) and has population around 85,000. Its capital is Douglas - port town located on the southeastern coast. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state. She holds the title "Lord of Mann" and is represented by Lieutenant Governor. Defence and foreign relations are responsibility of the UK Government.

Isle of Man is a low-tax economy with no wealth tax, stamp duty, inheritance tax or capital gains tax, and a top rate of income tax of 20%. Its rate of corporation tax is 0% for almost any type of income, with only exceptions the profits of banks (taxed at 10%), and rental (or other) income from land/buildings situated on the island. Offshore banking, tourism and manufacturing are the key sectors of the local economy.

In 2016, Isle of Man became the world's first entire country designated "UNESCO Biosphere Reserve". In 2016, Port Douglas handled a total of 16 ship calls. In 2017, the number jumped to 28 - port's ever highest, and 75% increase over 2016. The number of cruise ship tourists grew by over 115% (to 11,500 passengers and crew). In 2018, the island was visited by 24 cruise ships and nearly 8,400 passengers (20% increase over 2017) plus 6,000 crew.

The list of recent first-commer cruise lines to the island includes Grand Circle Travel (in 2016, with MV Clio / Tere Moana) and Tauck (in 2017 with the chartered CDP Ponant ship Le Soleal). In 2017, the island was included as one of the "surprise port destinations" on MV Hebridean Princess (built as RMS Columba in 1964). In July 2006, this top-luxury cruise ship was chartered by HM Queen Elizabeth II for a royal family cruise around the Scottish Islands, celebrating her 80th birthday.

• Since 2017, Port Douglas offers more island excursions and services, including shipboard promo-marketing brochures and pre-arrival video materials. The number of passenger welcoming volunteers and qualified tour guides was increased.

In March 2018 started construction works on the new cruise ship berth in Port Douglas. By this project (budged GBP 11 million) will be built a 240-m / 787-ft long deepwater berth on Victoria Pier's outer side. The new pier is part of a 3-year harbour development program, which also includes:

• (GBP 14,83 million) Kind Edward VIII Pier upgrades
• (GBP 17, 22 million) building windfarm support ship pontoons, new breakwater, revetment
• (GBP 6,98 million) constructing a slip (for pleasure boats) plus holding area
• (GBP 15,55 million) tankership berth upgrade
• (GBP 10,56 million) Victoria Pier RoRo berth upgrade
• (GBP 4,23 million) building new cruise tender berth (serving the ship's tender boats)
• Currently, cruise ships anchor in Douglas Bay and transfer their passengers via tenders.

The island has been inhabited since before 6500 BC. In the 5th century started the Gaelic cultural influence and Manx language (branch of Gaelic languages) emerged. Edwin of Northumbria conquered the island in 627 AD. During the 9th century, the "Kingdom of the Isles" was established by Norsemen. In the period 1099-11003, the King of Norway, Magnus III, was also known as "King of Mann and the Isles".

In 1266, the island became part of Scotland by Treaty of Perth, after being part of Norway. Following a period of alternating rule by the kings of England and Scotland, in 1399 it came under feudal lordship of the English Crown (British Crown since 1765). However, this territory never became part of UK, retaining its status of self-governing British dependency.

The annual "Isle of Man TT" ("Tourist Trophy") is a motorcycle race run on the island in May-June. The 2-week event (1 for practice, 1 for racing) is on time-trial basis and held on public roads.

Isle of Man cruise terminal