‘We need shovels in the ground’

“We’re back on the map” is the rallying call from Tourism Development Minister Shawn Crockwell, after a series of ‘encouraging’ recent developments in the industry.

Mr Crockwell told the Bermuda Sun there had been ‘significant positive movement’ in the last year.

Pointing to plans to re-develop the old Club Med site, the revamp of the Pink Beach Club and ongoing work on the Hamilton Fairmont, he said there was a real buzz around hotel development at present.

But the Minister acknowledged that many would not be fully satisfied until the shovels were in the ground.

He said: “There is significant excitement right now.

“We have seen some really positive movement.

“Pink Beach is back on the table and there seems to be some renewed confidence.

“The response to the RFP for the East End development was very encouraging.

“But until the shovels are in the ground, I am not going to be buoyed by what has happened.

“I am very encouraged. We think that we will see some activity on this project this year or next year at the latest.”

Mr Crockwell added: “There is a great buzz with the America’s Cup and a feeling that Bermuda is back on the map.

“There are the next stages of the Hamilton Princess to look forward to.

“They have already done a great deal down there and the South Beach development, on the site of the old Sonesta Beach, will feature” in their renovations.

“There is some significant movement as compared to three or four years ago.”

The Tourism Development and Transport Minister recently visited the Morgan’s Point site in Sandy’s to see what progress had been made on proposals to build a hotel resort.

He told the Sun: “I visited Morgan’s Point around three or four weeks ago.

“And I’m pleased to see how much progress has been made.

“The developers seems to be very happy and things are moving along nicely.

“It’s a development that falls under Public Works and we meet them regularly. It’s moving in the right direction and things have really picked up.”