Shadow Minister: Tourism Board Is Less Diverse
Shadow Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert said the PLP wishes the Tourism Board much success going forward, however said the “makeup of the Tourism Board seems to reflect an OBA that appears to be building one Bermuda that is less diverse.”
On Thursday [Dec 19], Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell announced the members of the Tourism Authority Board as Chairman David Dodwell, Phil Barnett, Paul Telford, Jessica Mello, Allison Towlson, and Peter Everson. In addition, the Board includes two overseas members: Earl Graves and Allison Reid.
The implementation of a Tourism Authority was a campaign promise made by the One Bermuda Alliance in the 2012 General Election, with the party saying the concept was to remove political interference.
The Tourism Authority’s budget — which is provided by the Government — is $27.2 million. However going forward one of the objectives of the Authority is to look for ways to raise its own funding.
Minister Crockwell [centre] with the eight Board members:
Mr Furbert said, “The PLP acknowledges the appointment of the OBA’s Tourism Board and wish them much success going forward.
“A successful tourism industry benefits all of us and we are counting on them succeeding in managing the awesome task ahead of us.
“For $20,000 each a year, it will be interesting to see what each board member brings to the table in terms of tourism experience and expertise.
“Before the election, diversity was one of the values promoted by the OBA. Yet since taking office, time and time again the OBA have failed to involve the wide and diverse talent available across the racial, social and political spectrum.
“The makeup of the Tourism Board seems to reflect an OBA that appears to be building one Bermuda that is less diverse and less Bermudian than should be expected from a modern, sophisticated jurisdiction.
“As we welcome the new board, we encourage the OBA to recognize and involve Bermudians of all backgrounds as we seek to move tourism forward.”
The Bernews article about the announcement of the Tourism Board has close to 200 comments so far, which much of the feedback centering around the demographics of the Board with varying opinions expressed.
I see diversity pictured, I hope none, not one, was chosen for their gender or ethnicity. Sorry. Lets give them support and time to work together. TIME TO WORK TOGETHER, puh- lease . . .
I can’t wait to see Crockwell’s excuse when they fail. You can change the Board as many times as you want. The results will always be the same. Grade F
The prices are to high for plane tickets and hotels. We have no entertainment except some hole in the wall bar called the Beach.
did you really mean what you wrote? Your heart is dark man…so selfish, so narcissistic…so saddening…you really don’t't care about Bermuda not her people
And how would you suggest we lower prices and raise entertainment?
(Oh, and if you think the Beach provides the only entertainment on island, you are ignorant to the point of being dismissable.)
If “none, not one” is chosen for their ethnicity or gender, what is the benefit of commenting on diversity since it is not affected by choice? What you mean to say is that when blacks are chosen it’s solely because of their race but when whites are chosen it’s solely because of their ability. There are 6 white members and two black. It’s the preferred image for Bermuda by the OBA demographic. A tourist would never believe that blacks outnumber whites by advertising. But then again maybe that brings the tourists I don’t know. This pictureis representative of the OBA population not Bermuda’s population. Well lets see what job they will do, afterall.
http://bernews.com/2010/12/new-tourism-board-members-named/
The new board has 8 members, including 3 people of colour, 5 white, and 3 women.
On the 2010 board there are 10 members pictured, 6 appear to be of colour, 4 appear to be white, and 2 are women.
They are both diverse boards. Did either one “fail to involve” a particular race or sex? They both have representatives from races. Both have women. Unless Bean is suggesting some kind of quota system, it’s not clear what his point is.
Bean you idiot? Smh! Poor reading skills, I know
Furbert. Typo. You idiot.
Diversity in this respect doesn’t mean physical characteristics. What I have noticed is that in terms of qualifications they appear to be from similar industry backgrounds. What I fear is that the thought patterns will not differ from one to the next. That is dangerous when you are trying to introduce change. Also innovation comes from a variety of perspectives.
Furbert was definitely trying to make a point, lamely, about race. His point was nothing to do with their industry backgrounds. He even talked about the “racial, social and political spectrum”. And a “Bermuda that is less diverse”. Total nonsense given the facts, but that’s what he was trying to suggest.
Why does it always have to with ones skin when it comes to the PLP!? Just get the job done for goodness sake!
It’s all they have.
The PLP are failing to learn from their mistakes.
We are such an immature democracy continually debating race and focusing less on achieving tangible results.
Mr.Furbert, I am in your constituency and voted for you in the last election. The next time you decide to feed these petty arguments is when I decide to change my vote.
Fed up.
If only we COULD debate race, rather than use it as a political weapon.
Shadow Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert said the PLP wishes the Tourism Board much success going forward, however said the “makeup of the Tourism Board seems to reflect an OBA that appears to be building one Bermuda that is less diverse.”
yup.just like the plp,don’t see many whites in that party.
The only diversity needed on this team is different business and tourism knowledge and experience. It has that. Let them get on with it.
this ta is dumed to fail
what is needed is real people that know the tourisum business not people with letters after the name
and they are going to be part time da
we’ve tried that idea already, it was called the ministry of tourism…what have they done to increase visitor numbers? whatever they tried ended in failure. time for something new
LEARN to spell before you try to type!
“Learn to spell” says the clown named “Nuffin” but “da” Truth… how ironic.
How about spelling this …. STFU
dumed? Tourisum?
And you ARE aware that this is the BOARD, right? This is the group that implements the projects that are suggested and oversees the whole operation.
You really have no idea what you’re talking about.
The board implements the projects Mike? You may want to read the ACT as you sound very ignorant right now. Get some facts, then bring your evidence.
Nah. You just sound petulant and petty and partisan and desperate to denounce me for any little thing because I dare not fall for the false, dishonest propaganda that you and yours try to push.
It’s interesting that you don’t point out what I’m “ignorant” about or what parts of the act I should read.
Why is that? Could it be that you are, as usual, just trying to falsely smear someone that doesn’t toe your party’s line?
Nothing?
As per usual. It’s getting tiresome.
Here is what a visitor said they want here. Bermudians waiting on them with there knowledge of Bermuda and smile. Cheaper hotel prices. Bermudian Entertainment. I tend to think the same so New Tourism Authority lets see you get to work doing just the basics.
We’ve got to offer what tourists want to buy, not what we want to sell.
Bean…you need to sort out your man Furbert. Let him and everyone else know that harping on about race will be at their peril come the next election. There are many mixed families out there right now and they are tired of this race baiting crap. Just remember that they (mixed families)are voters too. It used to win elections before but the people have seen thru this and it will no longer win the PLP elections. Change your attack or die a quick death!
YES. THIS HAS TO END. And not just mixed families but lots of white, black,blue,green, and rainbow feel the same. Narrow minded little despot gum flappers. If they spoke about RE CONCILIATION between the races ( a la a certain world leader of a significant nation ). To quote another “why can’t we just get along” and did something towards it we might ALL be better off.
Mr. Furbert has been successful at only three things; flip-floping, criticizing others, and been obsessed with skin colour. I see why he moved from the UBP to the PLP – it is a much better fit.
Maybe they can’t harmonize like you Furbert, but they can run a business a heck of a lot better. How did wayne get elected…who voted for this man….how do you feel voting for such a person? I would have respected the voters of Hamilton Parish if they elected Lavern…..at least she is wavering in her beliefs
ooops Lavern is un-wavering in her beliefs….wayne is a joke
Bet it will be more for 20.000 per person that what you lost for your fat paycheck and possible freebies
all rich with tjtles…where’s the representation of the common man?
titles…that is
To me a common man is defined by his or hers level of common sense. The proof will be the pudding. Seems like you have written them off already. Suggest you give them a chance. If everyone in Bermuda tries their best to be positive in all aspects of their life and simply adopts the “Golden Rule” then the outside world will quickly recognize this and an economic recovery will slowly start throughout our Island home.
Why do you think the “common man” is not/will not be represented?
By “titles” do you mean qualifications?
“Rich” – that’s relative, but regardles, you seem to be suggesting that the group should be formed of people based on financial need, as opposed to the skills they offer.
what experience or skills do they have?
qualifications in what?
and the common man has no representation,except for his own voice.
also, $20,000 for ten meetings? that’s $2000 a pop! and they’re
angry with team hamilton?
where are you getting this “ten meetings” thing?
As for their skills and experience, you can find this out by reading.
It’s all in the story announcing the Board.
Oh, and “Team Hamilton” took the job knowing that they weren’t going to get paid, then changed it. There’s a difference.
And what does “Common Man” mean?
Do you know anything about what it might take to run a tourism product (large business)? It doesn;t sound like it.
$20k – for ten meetings – so you think those meetings will be the exent of their work and time – you are very foolish.
What is “the common man” – I’m interested to know. If these people do their job the commone man will be represented by being given input and through the results. If they don;t do their job they will be fired – unlike the gov’t positions that previously ran tourism and were not accountable.
What has team aHamilton got to do with this?
Representation, what representation? These people are not politicians. They are professional people who will work with others to get the collective job done.
These kind of petty comments largely explains why PLP were such s poor Govt.. So much of what they do and did was racially motivated, rather than focusing on doing what was in the best interest of the long term progression, education, empowerment and growth of all the people of Bermuda.
Another assinine statement from a shadow minister.
Wayne must be scared. Go back to sleep.
This whole thing is just yet another example of the core – and sole – political message from the PLP:
“It’s OK when we do it.”
The PLP ran Bermuda into the ground.They cannot go on their record as it I was so poor.If they can go on the emotional race card,they think they can win the next election in 4 yrs.time.Hopefully by then the OBA would have cleaned up the mess left,and even the diehards of the PLP will know,not to vote for them!
Did this same moaning guy,pay models of one race more than another? Hypocrite of the highest order?
More evidence of a newbie Oba blogger. Can somebody in the Oba blog world educate your newbie about Bernews please? It’s exposing you alls M.O. Ever since that RG poll, you folks are going crazy, and you don’t even realize or see the end result. Lol!
Have you ever got a job from a common man??
Hay Furby we are in HUGE DEBT at $5.324BILLION DOLLARS
We got there with “SMALL” mindedness,and you helped.
A PLP Member attacking”:diversity”? Really Wayne, you are clearly drunk on the Kool Aid…you would still be out there singing “Bermuda is another World” and getting free jet rides to Vegas…without any results…at least we know you will support gaming…or will you?
Only if Terry Lister supports it. What say you balanced facts?
The point of balance is relative based on who looking at it……….
LOL
I cannot believe anyone takes anything seriously from this dude.
Based on the comments above, no one actually does take Flip Flop seriously (nor should they)!
Would you spend $400+ for a hotel when you could go elsewhere and receive a lot more for your money? No, so don’t expect other people to. Until things of this matter are discussed and changed, I don’t see tourism improving much regardless of which the party in power.
You are absolutely correct. Add to that $600 per person for a plane ticket from the U.S. to Bermuda (in many cases) and $100 per couple for a mediocre meal in most of our restaurants, and we wonder why tourism is failing?
Remind me why I should care what Wayne Furbert thinks and says…
You shouldn’t…. no one else does (except maybe the media).
The income from those “Grand” apartments on the south shore will cover the costs of the TA, with a little change left over. Right Wayne?
When Furbert says diverse, he really means a predominantly Blue Black repreps that will run to the PLP and report EVERYTHING that is discussed in the Boards meetings.
Wayne is nothing but POLITICAL…..everything is about politics….US versus them….power at all costs….. whether it be with the PLP then the UBP, back to the PLP…. It is farcical yet troubling.
Bermuda is in a sorry state due to the political crap sprinkled with good dollops (by some) of racial manipulation to either cajole or intimidate, that has really screwed this country……Bermuda is the size of a small town…..
The size of Government in Bermuda is obscene and the system of the Colonial relic called Parliament is long past its sell by date.
Bermuda needs a new system of Government….with really good qualified people managing the country.
At least they won’t be moonwalking or singing out of tune around the world RLOL….
Then a game it could be a pyramid scheme in disguise lol
The Grand Atlantic cost $40 million.We had to borrow to pay for it.That’s right,we are paying over $1 million a year in interest.That does not reduce the principal,for a building nobody wants.Thanks Mr.Furbert,you and your PLP have made slaves of us to foreign lenders.All we here from you is a load of rubbish.
If the PLP,ever get in govt again,this place would be worse than the worst place you can imagine.
The PLP isn’t diverse with their lame tactics if that is the case. Smells like a play of the race card if you ask me here. Grow up
Flip Flop – when you select leaders based solely on the color of their skin, you end up with ineffective, laughable Opposition Leaders like you were… sit down and let real leaders fix the mess your color-obsessed PLP made (and be patient, it may take a while to fix 14 years of incompetence and raping the public purse)!
When the lounge lizard starts crooning, I tune it out.
It should be more diverse and inclusive! Just like the PLP!
more diversity is needed