January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Tourism's needs are here and now, not on the other side of the world
We disagree, completely.
We do not take issue with the international business aspect of the trip, but the tourism line is hogwash - a poor excuse for continuing the Premier's worldwide farewell tour. It may sound good on TV, it may read well in print, but it really amounts to nothing more than a pleasant diversion from the job at hand.
Tourism is facing its most challenging year in decades - virtually all hotel operations are hanging by the skin of their teeth; the industry is in terminal decline and the minister would rather travel the world.
Does he not think our tourism industry is in crisis? Can he tell us how the India trip will benefit Bermuda tourism this year; because right now this year is all that matters? If we don't get through it, if we don't drive enough visitors to our shores, we may well be left with a shattered industry.
What is the plan to prevent the collapse of Bermuda tourism? So far, nobody in this government has said anything about this critically important component of the Island's economy.
There was a time Bermudians were fully aware of the marketing profile Bermuda projected to its key markets, in North America, the UK and Europe. Governments kept them informed. Governments announced their plans. As a result, Bermudians knew the advertising, the spokesmen and the players, and they had a sense of the government, hotels and small businesses working together to bring visitors to our hotels and guest cottages.
Today there is only silence. It is a disgrace that it should come to this.
The United Bermuda Party is not prepared to stand by and allow this vital industry be run into the ground by the failed leadership of the minister. And so, in the first instance, we demand that he come forward and tell Bermuda what is the plan, what are the images and messages Bermuda is projecting to attract visitors from core markets. What steps are in place to compete effectively?
We challenge him to convince Bermudians that this Government is working core markets hard; and joining with hotels to get the business here. Many jobs depend on it.
And when the Premier - if the Premier - reports to the people, please stop the spin. Everyone knows the industry is in dire straits; everyone knows the numbers have fallen to catastrophic levels. Don't come back with clever distortions of the truth. Tell us what you are going to do to pull the industry - particularly the hotel industry - out of the dump.
We don't want to hear about India. It has nothing to do with the urgent need to fill empty hotel beds right now.
The India trip is symptomatic of serious lack of focus, lack of leadership and a disconnect enlarged by his own retirement plan. It's what happens with lame ducks. Bermuda deserves better.[[In-content Ad]]
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