Tourism Authority Clarify 2016 Budget Increase
The 2016 Budget said there will be a $5.3 million increase for the BTA’s budget and “while it’s true there is an increase for the BTA’s resources this year, the size of that increase is about half what the Finance Minister projected,” the BTA said, adding they created an infograph to help “understand the reasons for the discrepancy between the expectation and the reality.
In an email sent out to stakeholders, Glenn Jones, Director of Public & Stakeholder Relations, said: “As our tourism industry strides into the second quarter and a new Government fiscal year begins, we now have a clear understanding of the 2016 budget for the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA].
“Consistent with our organisation’s commitment to transparency we want to share this new information with our stakeholders.
“Six weeks ago the Minister of Finance delivered his annual budget speech. In that speech, he laid out expectations for a $5.3 million year-over-year increase for the BTA’s budget. Since that speech several developments have impacted those expectations.
“While it’s true there is an increase for the BTA’s resources this year, the size of that increase is about half what the Finance Minister projected.
“Our team has created an infograph below that should help all stakeholders understand the reasons for the discrepancy between the expectation and the reality, but rest assured no matter the size of the BTA budget, or the headwinds we face, our goal every day is to stimulate growth and help our tourism economy reach the levels of greatness we all know it has the potential to achieve.”
Brace yourself; the haters are coming.
If you call putting lipstick on a pig hate then so be it…
Shrowing good money after bad .
$1000,00 a day and $80,000 bonus, not bad for a failing Industry !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How can BTA put out these numbers when their operating budget according to their 2015 year end numbers was $30M? The 2016 budget will be close to $35M with the increases. The BTA plays games with what they release to the public.