College To Host “Who Needs Tourism?” Forum

April 7, 2014

The Bermuda College will present a free panel discussion entitled Who Needs Tourism!!//?? on Wednesday, April 9 at 7pm in the North Hall Lecture Hall G301. This is part of the Lecture Series at the College to provide the community with conversations of contemporary significance.

The panel leading the discussion of Who Needs Tourism!!//?? will include members of the BTA, Ms. Karla Lacey, COO, Mr. Bill Hanbury, CEO, and Mr. David Dodwell, Chairman and it will be moderated by Senior Lecturer and Chair of the Visitor Industry Partnership, Dr. Barbara O’Shaughnessy.

A spokesperson said, “With the official handover from the Department of Tourism to the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] completed, the BTA has now become a reality: a new structure, new staff, new commitment and a new vision.

“Bermuda was once the world leader in developing tourism as a major industry and base for its economy. It can be argued that Bermuda ‘taught the world’ about tourism. Since the heyday of the 80s, the demand for Bermuda has dwindled.

“Come out on Wednesday and get a picture of Bermuda Tourism today and into the future: the plans, proposals, challenges, changes and opportunities. Listen to the people whose job it is to steer a new course for our heritage industry – Bermuda Tourism. We need the participation of everyone, the enthusiasm of everyone and the belief that Bermuda can again be a premier destination.

“Refreshments will be available.”

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Comments (22)

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  1. Lick My Chicken says:

    New staff? I was told that the New York office has the same staff as before unless they’re solely speaking about the Bermuda office.

    • Mike Hind says:

      They’re talking about the BTA. It says so right there.

  2. Coffee says:

    Four professionals , two expats and zero experience on how to service a room , mix a cocktail or manage a dining room .

    • Mike Hind says:

      You very obviously have no idea what you are talking about.
      Try doing an ounce of research.
      Or did you already and you’re just spreading misinformation?

      This sort of nonsense is EXACTLY why you aren’t – and can’t be – taken seriously.

      You can’t just say things that are untrue and expect it to suddenly become truth.

      Do better.

    • A smith says:

      They can do a better job then you im sure and whats wrong with expats @coffee

      • Mike Hind says:

        Didn’t you know? Expats are bad!

        But don’t call him xenophobic! That’s an insult not to be borne!

        • Coffee says:

          In the business of tourism I’ll quote the late David Allen ‘ who better to sell Bermuda than Bermudians ‘ . If we have no idea of what we are selling then who does ? Oh and I do have a few expat friends as well .

          • Mike Hind says:

            Care to explain who the expats are?

          • Mike Hind says:

            Cuz, as far as I can see, there were three Bermudians and one expat. But… You seem to know better.

            • Coffee says:

              Yes I do , Barbera is a PRC from Canada , I know her personally .she is not Bermudian , she doesn’t have status .

              • Mike Hind says:

                Shhhhh. You’re just embarrassing yourself now.

  3. JUNK YARD DOG says:

    Who invented that dumb slogan.

    Dig up some the golf courses and plant onions ( food ).

  4. Scotty says:

    Coffee should be taken seriously. I am sure if you are an outsider looking at the composion of the BTA it may look impressive. However what experience does Mrs Lacey Minors have in Tourism, I mean real Tourism? I am not talking about the hospitality institute that any hotel employee would have been equally well equipped to run. I don’t doubt Mr Hanwell is a very nice gentleman but what are his formal tourism qualifications and what is he being paid? So much that it cannot be disclosed? What happened to openness and transparency? Was that just another political ploy Mr Dodwell? Ms O’Shaughnessy is tourism trained I am sure, but the VIP is passé. New innovations and concepts please. Is that not the reason that we find ourself in this current position?
    Between the Washington office and these highly paid employees with little to no formal tourism background and qualifications, Mr Dodwell has sold the island short. Forget about local panels saying the same old thing. Get down to business, bring in the tourists and upgrade employee skills, after all, that is the crux of Bermuda’s declining numbers.

    • Coffee says:

      Thanks Scotty , almost anybody could talk to a guest , but it takes very special people to entertain a guest while giving excellent service . Unfortunately not everybody gets the concept . That’s why we were leaders in the industry , we the workers in the industry had a knack of anticipating what our individual guest required and stood at the ready at all times . Traits along these lines are learned on the JOB , not in some workshop .
      Here’s a thought , when the major hotels along with the government of the day (father of the OBA the UBP ) instituted the gratuity system in the dining rooms in particular (greed killed the goose that laid the golden eggs) , many of the master Bermudian staff along with the repeat visitors who came every year for two week vacations walked away and never returned . That’s the predominant reason why the dining rooms and what little conference business we get are staffed by foreigners who only know how to find their way back to the dorm and to the bank , don’t ask them anything about Bermuda because they don’t know .
      Thirty plus years in the industry has afforded me a little inside knowledge about the rise and fall of Bermuda Tourism . The ukele player , where he comes from only God knows , however here lately I’ve seen him strumming on Princess beach but he can’t hold a candle to the entertain I’ve become accustomed to from the likes of the late Hubert Smith , Ted Ming , Gene Steed , Reuben McCoy and the list goes on . Give it a break Mr. Hind , stop boring our visitors with your flat music and corny jokes.

      • Mike Hind says:

        And, yet again, you prove that you have ABSOLUTELY no idea what you’re talking about and are now just childishly lashing out with a tantrum.

        Let’s go through your little attack on me here…

        “The ukele player , where he comes from only God knows,”

        An ounce of research – as I’m open with my identity… which is more than we can say about you – would show that I am born and raised Bermudian. But looking that up would be too much for you who relies on insinuation and assumptions rather than facts and truth, wouldn’t it?

        “however here lately I’ve seen him strumming on Princess beach”

        Again… not true at all. I WILL be playing there, but haven’t “lately”.

        “but he can’t hold a candle to the entertain I’ve become accustomed to from the likes of the late Hubert Smith , Ted Ming , Gene Steed , Reuben McCoy and the list goes on .”

        You’ve become accustomed to them, have you? These guys haven’t worked regularly in Bermuda in many years.
        You’re right, though. I can’t hold a candle to them. These guys were greats. They are also very, very different acts from me. You’re comparing apples and oranges.
        But don’t let that stop you with the false denunciation.

        “Give it a break Mr. Hind , stop boring our visitors with your flat music and corny jokes.”

        Annnnnd here’s the kicker. Proof that you have ABSOLUTELY no idea what you are talking about.
        You’re a joke, lying about knowing things you are completely ignorant of.

        If you had done an ounce of research… and had an ounce of honesty and integrity… you’d know that I’ve been working in the industry for over 25 years, working for 16 at Bermuda’s top nightclub and with Bermuda’s top rock band.
        I’ve…

        You know what? I’m wasting my time trying to expose you to truth.

        You have no idea what the truth is and have no desire to see or speak it.

        You’re pathetic.

        We deserve better than you.

        Do better.

    • Mike Hind says:

      Have you done ANY research at all?

      I know Coffee hasn’t, as he regularly spreads lies and misinformation and pretends that they are facts, as he did below here, but did YOU?

      Mrs. Lacey Minors has many years of experience, as does Mr. Hanwell.
      The “how much is be being paid?” trope is tired and done. It’s been addressed time and again. Come on.

      As for the VIP being passé? Are you serious? How is it passé?

      And “new innovations and concepts please”? Did you miss the… wow.

      I can’t even begin to… it’s…

      “highly paid employees with little to no formal tourism background and qualifications”?
      WHAT? Are you serious? Who are you talking about?

      “Get down to business, bring in the tourists and upgrade employee skills, after all, that is the crux of Bermuda’s declining numbers.”

      THAT’S WHAT THEY’RE DOING! How are you missing this?
      Are you THAT blinded by your loyalty that ANYTHING they do is bad?
      You contradict yourself sentence to sentence…

      I…

      I just can’t believe we have to deal with this sort of dishonest nonsense.

      Seriously. I’m begging now.
      Can you guys PLEASE try being honest and showing some integrity?
      Just a little bit? PLEASE?

      • Coffee says:

        Talking about honesty and integrity , Mr.Hanbury talked about a conference centre and wasn’t to keen on it for a number of reasons , however , one gentleman who was instrumental in the national stadium complex stated that the plans included a designated centre. But seriously Mike I’ve never heard of any tourist anywhere talk about the kennel boys .

        • Mike Hind says:

          Can you try making sense? The first part of that was gibberish.

          The second part of it shows exactly how out of touch with the industry you are and how little you know about what you are talking about.

          Thanks for proving my point.

  5. Coffee says:

    As I say , the ukele player God knows where he comes from , maybe he has played at the Rams Head , White Heron and dives like that back in the day , however , a major hotel …..nah , just wasn’t good enough . Visitors are still asking for the musians that I’ve mentioned , Mike Hind …Well who the hack is that ? Never heard of ‘im . Being Bermudian isn’t enough to and was never enough to be top bill in the music industry in Bermuda . That aside , didn’t see you at the college , it was very informative and I invite you to watch it on CITV , Coffee asked a question .

    • Mike Hind says:

      What the heck are you talking about. I told you where I come from.

      Why are you still throwing a tantrum? It’s not a good look.

      As for “back in the day”, I was a kid “back in the day”. And then, I was working in Bermuda’s number one nightclub. And now, In 2014, I’ll be working 6 nights a week as an entertainer in one of Bermuda’s top hotels. I’m not top bill yet, but I’m getting there through hard work and doing a really good job. If you had ever seen me play, which you obviously haven’t, you’d know this.

      You really have to stop making stuff up and pretending that it’s true. It’ snot doing anyone any good.

      You didn’t see me at the college because I had work to do. You know, for my career in the industry.
      What are your credentials again? Oh, that’s right. You won’t say, ‘cuz you’re cowering behind a fake name, taking dishonest, completely false potshots at people that expose you as the fake, lying demagogue that you are.

      Do better. Try truth. Try honest. Try integrity. Try making sense.

      • Coffee says:

        Mike , I do apologize , it never dawned on me that you were not around in the periods that I talk about . Forgive me it’s just that you look much older than you are . Do some reading or research as you say on the Bermuda music federation and the conflict between the federation and the hotel association 1978-1983 . Reread my post and instead of goings on a keyboard tantrum try to understand the effect of the introduction of the gratuity system in the hotel industry .
        Study in these areas would allow your brain to process more clearly why the dearth of Bermudians in the service sections in the dining rooms and stage . Ask questions on why Greg Thompsons Follies were allowed to play Bermuda . Be honest to yourself cause you clearly lack the knowledge of the why .

        • Mike Hind says:

          Wow. What a pathetic attempt to insult me.

          Can’t stand behind the things you’ve already said (because they were patently false, of course), so you change the subject.

          Pathetic.

          The ONLY point you have is about the gratuity system, which was a bad idea. The problem is that you’re so busy playing ridiculous political games and trying to denounce anyone who dares question you that the point gets lost. The other problem is that it’s a completely obvious problem, one that everyone knows about.

          As for the rest of it?

          The insane rumblings of an idiot desperate to be relevant, peppered with cowardly false insults.

          Take off the hood and show some integrity you coward.