The axing of a healthcare agreement between the UK and the Isle of Man will mean tourists visiting the island will now need to take out travel insurance .
Ministers have failed to renew a Reciprocal Health Agreement between the UK and the self-governing island and the deal, which allowed visitors and residents to have access to free medical treatment whether they were in the UK or the Isle of Man, ends on March 31.
Tourism officials on the Isle of Man believe there will be a negative impact on tourism following the dissolution of the Reciprocal Health Agreement with the UK.
A statement on the Visit Isle of Man tourism website said: “The Isle of Man Health Service is not part of the UK NHS and, except for immediately necessary and emergency treatment which does not require admission to hospital, visitors to the Isle of Man (including UK residents) who require treatment will be expected to pay for it. It is therefore strongly recommended that all visitors to the Isle of Man ensure that they have the appropriate insurance in place”