BTA CEO Kevin Dallas Stepping Down

February 26, 2020

Kevin Dallas Bermuda July 2017Chief Executive Officer Kevin Dallas is stepping down from the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA], effective this Friday, to “pursue opportunities in the private sector,” the BTA Board announced today.

“The BTA’s senior executive team will carry out interim leadership duties, while the BTA Board launches a robust executive search for a new CEO for the organisation,” the statement said.

“We wish to thank Kevin for his leadership, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” said BTA Board Chair Paul Telford.

“Kevin has been a strong asset and we are extremely grateful for his significant contribution. During his tenure, he was responsible for notable milestones, including development and implementation of the new National Tourism Plan, the arrival of Disney Cruises, and executing host venue partnerships for Bermuda with the America’s Cup, World Triathlon Series, United States Tennis Association, Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and the PGA TOUR.

“Kevin’s dynamism will be missed, however, we are confident the path he established will continue to drive the Authority forward,” added Mr Telford. “The Board remains committed to supporting the seasoned BTA leadership team in that effort.”

“Mr Dallas, who has completed three years as CEO, led the five-year-old, public-private Authority through a period of tourism resurgence on the island that saw record numbers of total vacationers over the last three years and the second-highest number of leisure air arrivals since 2006 last year,” the statement added.

This comes in advance of the “pending restructuring of the BTA,” which was announced in the recent Budget speech.

“I have very much appreciated Kevin’s strategic thinking and data-driven approach to the challenging task of revitalising Bermuda tourism,” said Tourism Minister Zane DeSilva. “Kevin’s unvarnished assessment of situations and quick focus on solutions has helped the Authority progress during his tenure. I wish him every success in the future.”

“It has been a true privilege to serve as the BTA’s CEO,” said Mr Dallas. “I am incredibly proud of what our team and industry stakeholders have accomplished collaboratively and in a relatively short period, and I remain very positive about the growth potential of Bermuda tourism with the investment we have stimulated.

“Personally, I’m now looking forward to new opportunities and challenges and am confident this is the right decision. The BTA is in a strong position with a superb team of hard-working people dedicated to the industry’s future. I wish all my colleagues and our stakeholders continued success.”

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Comments (116)

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  1. Cow Polly says:

    This is a travesty

    • Sad says:

      Sad to hear.

      Mr. Dallas, Glen Jones and the BTA team have made huge steps in improving the Bermuda Brand post Department of Tourism. No disrespect to any of the BTA team, as I don’t know any of them or their qualifications but hopefully Glen Jones will be his successor (if interested).

      Lets all thank Zane and his team for playing Russian Roulette with our second biggest industry. I suppose Zane learned everything and has all the answers after his Incognito Mystery Fact Finding Cruise to Bermuda.

      You got what you wanted Zane, just like Jamal did with the Casino Gaming Commission. Two years later what has Jamal accomplished – NOTHING! Meanwhile he continues to get paid and praised for it. Fortunately the BTA work is done a year + in advance so we hopefully have time to get the right person in place.

      Anyway, Mr. Dallas. Thanks you for your efforts Hopefully, Napoleon wont cause the rest of your team to leave.

      • Onion Juice says:

        $1000 a day job available.

        • sandgrownan says:

          Why don’t you apply? Sounds like you’re a f***g expert on everything.

          • Onion Juice says:

            Such hostility, can we all just get along.

            • Sandgrownan says:

              No. That ship has long since sailed.

              • Onion Juice says:

                Yup, ever since that ship dropped us off here, same $#!+ different day.

              • hmmm says:

                Fools like you are the very reason so many black Bermudians departed from the UBPoba!!!

                • sandgrownan says:

                  Hold on. So, because I criticize the PLP because they are incompetent, and failures (and this is all demonstrable), black people leave the OBA, of which I am not a member?

                  You have any idea how stupid you sound.

            • Mike Hind says:

              Sure. You start.
              You stop being so hostile to everyone that’s not 100% PLP, stop spreading lies and vile falsehoods about the LGBT community,l and take off your good of anonymity and then you can ask for an end to hostility.

              Start with yourself.

              • NO to SSM says:

                What do you care the OBA didn’t give a rat’s a$$ about the LGBT when they were Govt to vote with the numbers!! Their last 3 leaders didn’t even want it. Lets be real mate. At the end of the day they didn’t support it.

                The PLP told the voters before the election that SSM was not for Bda. Thus they won a PLP24 OBA11. You also said tourism would sink because of the X on SSM by Bermuda. Wrong more people vacationed here despite a little less on air travel. Cruise ships had record numbers.

                • Mike Hind says:

                  A. What does the OBA have to do with what I said? I am not an OBA supporter and was very vocal about their cowardice on the subject.
                  B. I never said that. If you can’t make a point without supporting it with a lie, your position is weak.
                  C. Why do you have so much hate in your heart?

          • Real Bda says:

            Jet Gate should apply since he is the best you can get to lead the obaUBP out from the farm where the voters left you LOLOLOL.

        • Joe Bloggs says:

          “$1000 a day job available.”

          But only to someone on the “friends and family plan”.

          Hey, OJ, you should qualify for the job!

      • outkasted says:

        so he left for other opportunities in the private sector. 3 years is a good run. Best of luck mate.

    • Onion Juice says:

      An opportunity for someone else to make $1000 a day.

      • Open Mind 1609 says:

        With the right credentials, education and work experience, absolutely get $1000 a day.

        And that individual could also get a ‘same pay’ job running a sales and marketing firm or department anywhere. The job pays what is required of it and what the person doing is qualified for.

        Got any Bermudians you know interested OJ? I am sure Zane is probably now ruing the fact not a lot of choice to replace him.

      • wahoo says:

        They just chased away a real born Bermudian so will the new guy be an expat?

      • Mike Hind says:

        Why are you so mad at Bermudians making good money?

        • Onion Juice says:

          Dont know how long you have been in Bermuda mate, but it has always been a common practice that people of a certain race or affiliated with a certain party were always denied and overlooked for top positions even with qualifications, not taking away the expertice from Mr.Dallas, this BTA setup was clearly an OBA Friends and Family setup while we the taxpayers fund $25 Million a year and Government dont make the desisions in Board selections, now if Dr.Brown would have created someting like this and selecting his Friend and Family, you all would have been crying.
          Dont feel good when it happens to you dont it?

          • Anonymous says:

            Well see the only difference is that the “friends and family” team the OBA appointed were actually getting things done and turning the tourism sector around. What has the PLP done with tourism in the 17 years they’ve been in power? I don’t even know why I’m talking to you. I really hope you’re getting paid to shill for these numpties, because if you aren’t you’re an even bigger fool than I thought possible.

          • Mike Hind says:

            I’m born and raised in Bermuda and have live here my whole life.
            Something which would be easy to find out. I don’t wear a hood.

            As for the rest of it, we’ve spoken before about privilege and how you aren’t against it, you just don’t want anyone but black folks to have it, as you have shown here. Which is just as bad as those you rail against.
            You don’t want equality or justice. You just want to be the one who hurts others and reaps the gains.

            And that’s why people have a problem with you – along with the lying, lack of honesty, refusal to show an ounce of integrity, complete lignorance of most topics you post on and outright hatred – you are part of the problem you claim to be fighting against.
            You don’t want to fix the system, you just want to be the one on top.

          • Detonators says:

            showing your true racial colors here dh. Aint nothing been given to me.but at least i am not cold blind or party obsessed like you.

      • Wahoo says:

        I think Beyonce made a $1000 a minute when she came and that was was around about the time we ended up with $2B debt. Still doing the math?

  2. sandgrownan says:

    Let’s see which unqualified PLP sycophant Zane foists on the BTA.

    • Cheryl-Ann Griffin says:

      Let’s see another qualified Bermudian get the post and let’s see what you have to say depending on what he/she looks like.

      • Anbu says:

        Key word there cheryll, “qualified”. Something the plp knows nothing abt. For some reason you and the plp think that just being bermudian makes u qualified for everything under the sun……. lmao.

        • Sad says:

          Qualified isn’t enough. There are few people that have the skills, qualifications, drive and personality for the Job. Qualifications are just a piece of the pie. The world is full of qualified teachers, mechanics, accounts and so on. However, they are not all equal. Mr. Dallas was a great fit as is Glenn Jones. Jim Woolridge was a great Tourism Minister. We have not had a person represent us that was as good since. Not UBP, OBA and certainly not PLP. My point is that qualifications are not enough. These politicians have got to stop with their Trump like policies and ways of doing stuff.

      • sandgrownan says:

        Ah, but that’s the rub isn’t it. Will they be qualified, or will Zane fold the BTA back under his control? Back to hte Platinum period of the Playboy Mansion, fake charities, faith based tourism, Beyonce, and the *real* Jetgate which the PLP conveniently forget.

        After being attacked constantly by PLP, much like his predecessor, is it any wonder he’s leaving. Really? And who, other than a PLP insider/puppet, would actually want the role. After all, it seems we’re an island of 60,000 experts on tourism.

        • Onion Juice says:

          Well OBA attack PLP too.
          Like Grandma used to say, if you cant handle de heat, get out of de kitchen.
          LMAO

          • Mark says:

            Pretty sure she also said it’s better to be thought of being a fool rather than open your mouth and proving it.

            • Onion Juice says:

              The proof is, this OBA Friends and Family scam is about to be busted, they said in 5 years it will be independenly run and self sufficiant.
              Well 5 years are up and we are still forking out $25Million a year, and Government have no say in Board say or selections.
              This is how Bermuda was run during de Oligarchy days.
              BUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

              • Joe Bloggs says:

                Sorry, OJ , your argument only works if the BTA existed for 5 years under an OBA Government. If the BTA was underfunded for 2 years by a PLP Government your argument falls apart. That would not be an OBA failure, it would be PLP undermining the BTA.

          • Sandgrownan says:

            The thing is, you see that as partisan politicking. I know you’ll need to look up the words, but the realty is that 20 years of PLP failure, the status quo, is killing Bermuda for everyone – black and white

          • Grannie Saying says:

            open mouth insert foot. Don’t you hate the taste of shoe leather by now

      • frank says:

        the next person to get this job should be Glen Jones

    • Pee Ant says:

      may i suggest Jamal S seems him and zane would get along great. New Motto Lets F*** I* Up . Wonder if the Dr is pulling strings on this to

  3. Not exactly says:

    The PLP have chased out a competent CEO and are about to f-up the board with interference and micromanagement.

  4. Cheryl-Ann Griffin says:

    Why?

  5. The chaos deepens says:

    Queue the “Platinum period of tourism”–just when you think is can’t get any more ridiculous–

    Quo fata ferunt.

  6. Sad Day says:

    This is a SAD SAD day!

  7. James says:

    I thought I read recently that air arrivals were way down?

    • Ringmaster says:

      Air arrivals in the past were always made to look good by including business visitors and visiting friends and families of expats. Now there are far less of both, air arrivals have dropped. The BTA should not be blamed for false accounting by the Ministry.

      • Sad says:

        Many business people coming on business
        and by business I mean meetings, said they were on vacation so they won’t get 1000 questions from immigration. And this is not just a Bermuda thing the same thing happens in most countries. most business people know better than to make any mention of business when traveling. So if you want to land and get out of an airport you say that you’re on vacation.

        Unfortunately for us now that there’s us foreign workers and foreign businesses our vacation travelers numbers appear to be down.

        You know it’s the same kind of map you used when government tries to show that unemployment is down, but they don’t tell you that the reason is because they’ve hired a thousand people into the civil service themselves. Wink wink nudge nudge

        • Anonymous says:

          Oh my goodness finally someone who isn’t stupid. Burt is parading around saying they added, what was it? 441 jobs last year? How many of those were civil service jobs? These idiots have no idea how to grow the economy, and the sad part is that the party faithful aren’t going to realize until they can’t make the civil service payroll. Maybe its time to jump ship to England before Burt “liberates” us with independence and I get stuck here.

  8. Concerned Bermudian says:

    PLP you are fxxxing up everything for Bermuda! And all the blind followers are just stupid! WAKE UP!!!!

    • Stinky D. says:

      Why are you blaming PLP ?
      He stepped Down

      • Anonymous says:

        Like he said, wake up. Why do you think hes stepping down? He got tired of the PLP’s BS. He can probably make more money elsewhere. What really scares me is that the PLP are probably going to try to put some idiot in his place that will undo all the good work that the BTA has managed to do over the last few years.

        • hey says:

          He step down because he got tired of the PLP……….. and Nick Kemp left the obaUBPERS because the party is a bunch of losers.

          Now all move on because both of them has. LOL

      • Sad says:

        I take you have did not read the statement from the budget or Zanes recent comments. Read first and it should make sense. If not, I guess you wont understand.

      • Question says:

        stupid comment of the day

  9. Penny Drops says:

    Another one bites the dust.
    We’ve seen the removal of Dunch and Shuetz; Webber and Moran; Aaron Smith at the RA; Tawanna Wedderburn at the BHeC and now Dallas. And we do nothing but whine on these blogs.
    Independent thinking, integrity, honesty and strong leadership are NOT welcome. This is the era of sycophantic puppets.

    • Great says:

      Dunch and Schuetz had to go! KD has to go too as he saw no value in reaching audiences outside of his comfort zone in the USA and when that bore less than awesome results he ups cruise ships to try and compensate! We NEED air arrivals due to OBA negotiated guarantees on our Airport – get the picture?

  10. Jack Archer says:

    Ross Webber, Alan Dunch, Richard Schuetz, Tawanna Wedderburn .. Kevin Dallas is in good company

    • Morons says:

      That list you rattled off are the biggest bunch of posers in Bermuda! Good riddance to all!

      • Double S says:

        What are you talking about? They didn’t list PLP Cabinet members. They listed people who are respected in their respective fields.

      • Penny Drops says:

        Wow.
        You either a) don’t know them; b) are clueless; or c) are being deliberately obtuse.
        Webber and Wedderburn in particular are beacons of integrity, honesty, business acumen and are proven leaders.

        • Morons says:

          Yeah right! So why does one have her husband fighting in the papers for her re-in statement when she took the package to leave? Cmon these people are not great – they are mediocre at best!

          • Double S says:

            If the OBA did what the PLP did ot her, you would call it racist.

            You’re a sick and hypocritical bunch.

  11. What? says:

    No wonder why he’s leaving after being constantly attacked weekly by a certain party and the community. Good luck Kevin

    • Great says:

      Good riddance! Won’t wear a suit to business meetings and often in his cell phone during our strategy meetings! I know as I had to work for him or used to I should say!

  12. mixitup says:

    I personally think he should have been given more time, although the numbers (Air Arrivals) were not good (Partly because of the airlift issue) and not the fault of the BTA. However, in any other corporate entity he’d likely have been replaced nonetheless.

  13. Circada says:

    Foolishness

  14. D says:

    A talented, capable Bermudian is being run out of a position (which he was thoroughly qualified for) because he does not bow to party politics or toe the line. This is an absolutely disgusting turn of events. As a young Bermudian, I’m shaking my head at the PLP and government in general—you guys are trash. For real or real.

    • Double S says:

      Too bad he is not a ‘real Bermudian’ in the PLP eyes.

      Lets see if they replace him with a foreigner as they did with the Health Council CEO position.

  15. Sailor says:

    A CEO normally has to give 3 to 6 months notice. If he is leaving on Friday either he was told to leave or his bosses were happy for him to leave.

    Very sad for Bermuda, but hey, at least we can have a friends and family person now.

    • Pee Ant says:

      wanna bet Zane et al are holding their hand out to accept the resignation letter all smiles and pats on the back to the co hurts, betting he will only give a brief acknowledgement of thanks for EXCELLENT work done.

  16. Missed Point says:

    Time for the DICTATORSHIP to get out of power. Thanks Zane et al for ruining our home

  17. trump supporter says:

    Seems to have gotten things done, should put him in charge of the bus schedule. oh nevermind!

  18. Barbara D Cooper says:

    Another nail in the coffin for the BTA & Bermuda !

    Kevin Dallas has been an outstanding CEO and he and his team have produced outstanding tourism results. Despite the fact that the BTA supposedly is independant from Government, the PLP interfered. That has undoubtedly had a bearing on Kevin’s decision to step down – and why wouldn’t it ??? I wish him the best of luck in his new endeavours.

  19. loading... says:

    Stepped down or pushed down the stairs?!

  20. Anonymous says:

    If you truly are a young Bermudian, you give me hope for this island. I’m glad someone sees how badly the PLP are screwing everything up. Because the “party faithful” seem to think these jokers can do no wrong. And in talking to some of them, it honestly scares me. It almost seems as if they’ve been brainwashed.

    Lets be real here, Kevin is leaving because the PLP do nothing but vilify and demonize the BTA despite them doing an amazing job, and shattering tourism records left and right. All they had to do was just leave them the hell alone and let them work, we all know they weren’t going to say anything good about them because they were established by the OBA, but it honestly seems like they’re actively trying to sabotage them.

  21. clearasmud says:

    Something is not right with this announcement. At a minimum he would have had to give 30 days notice. If he is leaving Friday and assuming as a professional he gave the required notice then this decision would have been made weeks ago. It smacks of politics which defeats the purpose of having an independent Tourism Authority.

  22. Optical Nightmare for the GVT says:

    This resignation is an optical nightmare for the Gvt.

    The Minister should get out ahead of this and make some reassuring comments that this was an organic development and had nothing to do with political interference.

    The OBA got lambasted for not communicating with the people.

    Hey PLP administration–now its your turn to communicate with we the people.

    What the heck is going on??

  23. wow says:

    everyone has a negative , no one affers a solution , the irony , wow. Thats why we are unable to move forward as a people ( negative thinking brings negative action) but you all the intelligent one, Hence here we are . desipher any way you choose.
    you all dont like spinach , but never tried it , interesdting

    • bluenose says:

      Care to comment on the resignation, rather than just criticising the critics?

    • What says:

      You really think the trolls like Tony Brannon on this chat channel represents the real Bermuda? No they don’t!

  24. More bad news says:

    Sometimes we just don’t appreciate our own. Kevin has been recognized and honored many times in the hospitality industry over the years and around the world. His willingness to return to Bermuda and take on our outdated hospitality product was commendable for a man of such talent and vision. In a short time, we actually witnessed positive results. You should be applauded, but apparently not in your own backyard by the powers that be. Kevin, thank you and I know that your new employer will fully appreciate your vision and dedication, they are incredibly fortunate and I’m sorry, you were treated so poorly. So sad to read this news, but no surprise, you were a true leader, but we completely understand. Everyone in the doctor’s office was talking about how sad it was today; old, young, black, white, male, female…….. Thank you Kevin and Best Wishes!!!!

  25. Adois, Kevin. This goes out to you and Kempe.

    • Sandgrownan says:

      ‘Certain’ people leaving – you love it don’t you.

  26. outkasted says:

    Well it is done …Now lets get on with it. The hope is the next person will have to hit the ground running and not drop the baton. If this winter was any inkling of a doubt that Bermuda needs to be marketed as a round the year destination. If WE don’t do this we are doomed. I’m all for our summer marketing etc… but for the entire September-April there need to be more events. This year I even went swimming and the water was NOT too bad. For a northerner they would be just fine. Today was like 72 degrees! and we have had many a day like these. Driving in the morning I’m wondering if summer ever really left? C’mon lets put our heads together to market this island year around.

  27. Tony Brannon says:

    Zane DeSilva
    Always nipping at Kevin’s heels (and Bill Hanburys too) He wanted to look under the hood?

    The whole point of the BTA was to keep the politicians “out of it”.
    But NO – Zane and his PLP are changing the status quo. They are seizing the City, bullying the country into a single payer healthcare system and now they want to mess with the BTA – the one thing that works great for Bermuda.
    Zane knows about as much about Tourism as my cat.
    It’s time the whole island rises up and says leave the BTA alone. Every man woman and child who depend on tourism best hope the PLP agenda is NOT to dismantle the BTA – that would be a travesty

    • dunn juice says:

      Hopefully they might have a press conference or something. maybe a march.
      But probably not ,25-11 getting what they wanted.

      • hmmm says:

        Bermuda is going to listen to this fool Tony what a idiot. At least a cat will not talk like a RAT about the people of Bda.

        “Tourism 2007 is still on its knees. No Bermy’s left in the hotels. Nearly all foreigners. Bermy’s self-destructed and got what they deserved. When locals are no longer involved in tourism in any meaningful numbers, visitors will never get a true Bermuda holiday.”

    • Mark says:

      I’d rather protest their idiotic Health train wreck. I say if everyone refuses to pay then they’ll have to build another prison and name it after some Pee el Pee hero to house us all.

    • Onion Juice says:

      Bla bla bla, get over it already.

      • Double S says:

        Exactly what I think when I read your daily whiny posts.

    • Grannie Saying says:

      nominate your cat for position I agree Zane knows rocks and the rest of his cronies are worse, your cat would a better job than clueless Z

  28. Boston Whaler Owner says:

    saw this coming as clear as a parrot fish in our waters!
    Zane has really screwed up,as usual!

  29. goaway says:

    and not a word from the instigator or his brothers in arms yet nothing.

  30. Eve says:

    It is unfortunate that Kevin has resigned but as CEO he had to take full responsibility for performance of the BTA. His management ability had to be strong enough to handle criticism and not cover it with an excuse. When Kevin accepted the position he should have been well apprised of the ups & downs Hanbury had as BTA CEO and know he would be inheriting most of Hanbury’s legacy as BTA CEO too. Most CEO’s have been fired or quit for some reason, the tough ones survive and learn from the experience and go on to bigger and better positions; hope Kevin does that too.

    • Question says:

      Yes, Mr Dallas should take full responsibility for visitor arrivals being at record highs for the third year running.

      • Eve says:

        The record high numbers are almost meaningless; Bermuda cannot maintain tourism with 60% cruisers and 40% air arrivals. For Bermuda tourism to survive the ratio needs to be 60% air arrivals and 40% cruisers. The longer Bermuda relies on 60% cruisers the quicker tourism is in a ‘no way out’ situation.

        • Question says:

          I can’t wait for Zane to show us how it’s done. Can’t wait.

  31. dunn juice says:

    Glenn Jones…

  32. Unbelievable says:

    Kevin resigned alright. Behind the scenes I guess he was TOLD to resign instead of get fired. I hate to say it but sadly it was coming to him for a long time.

    How much you want to bet that all the behind the scenes crew like Isley and Caillor are next? Someone needs to have an intervention with the PLP because they are LITERALLY messing this place up.

    • Eve says:

      Hanbury hired Isley to micromanage BTA from NYC along with a salary/bonus package that was higher than his. Allegedly she banned use of the word “Bermudaful” for more than a year after she was hired, not understanding the value of “Bermudaful”. Cailor left BTA soon after AC and took a position at Atlantis, Bahamas but was quietly rehired by Isley in 2018. Time will tell if they are part of the problem or part of the solution.