Bermuda ‘Sistering’ With Atlanta District

The Atlanta district of Buckhead and Bermuda will be “sister communities,” thanks to an agreement reached by the uptown community’s business leaders.

A delegation from the Buckhead Coalition, a chamber of commerce type nonprofit organisation, arrived in Bermuda today [May 26] to exchange formal proclamations with Hamilton officials.

The group, staying at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel, will also discuss business, tourism and trade with Bermuda officials. “This is a good way to create goodwill and have a new initiative for the coalition to build economic interests, tourism and social interests through the exchange of ideas and just being good neighbors across the Atlantic,” Buckhead Coaltion president Sam Massell said.

The delegation, which will visit Deputy Premier Derrick Burgess, is being led by Bermuda Garth Peters, coalition director of development — formerly with Bermuda’s Department of Tourism.

In Hamilton, they will meet with professional counterparts,and will visit with the Mayor Charles Gosling to deliver a letter of greetings from Mr. Massell, a former Atlanta Mayor.

Bermuda and Buckhead are similar in size and population: The island is 21 square miles with a population of 65,000, and the Georgia city is 28 square miles with 76,000 residents.

The “Robb Report” has rated Buckhead one of America’s “Top 10 Affluent Communities” for “some of the most beautiful mansions, best shopping and finest restaurants in the southeastern United States.”

And “The New York Times” has said of the community:” … the Buckhead section of Atlanta is the jewel of the city, an area of gracious homes, elegant hotels and shopping centres, as well as some of the best restaurants.”

“I’ve been to Bermuda a number of times, and it’s a delightful destination,” Mr. Massell said. “I’m convinced that people from Bermuda who come to Buckhead will feel the same way. They both have good shopping, both have good restaurants, and both have good weather.”

Mr. Massell said AirTran Airways’ addition of daily, nonstop service from Atlanta to Bermuda “sort of helped trigger this. This is a real boost to the economic wellbeing of both destinations.” The group’s trip will be aboard the inaugural flight of AirTran’s service between Atlanta and Hamilton.

With Delta Air Lines also having Bermuda service, “the competition is healthy,” Mr. Massell said.

The Buckhead group will meet with professional counterparts at a planned dinner where “the exchange of information will be mutually beneficial,” Mr. Massell said. “They may strike up some deals right on the spot.”

The group will enjoy entertainment at the airport and stay in one of Bermuda’s better hotels, he said. “They’re treating us like royalty and we’re going to see their royalty, the Deputy Premier, the mayor of Hamilton and other dignitaries.”

At a later date, a Bermuda contingency will visit Buckhead, Mr. Massell said. “We’ll host them in the same fashion,” he said.

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