Video: St George’s Mayor On Tourism Plan
After the Town Hall meeting that was held on Monday [June 11] at the Berkeley Institute to discuss the National Tourism Plan, St. George’s Mayor Kenneth Bascome spoke with us about the presentation.
The ambitious plan calls for visitor expenditures to grow from $422MM in 2011 to $1,471MM in 2022, and direct job positions supported by the Tourism Industry to increase from 3,600 in 2011 [9% of job pool] to 6,157 by 2022 [15% of job pool].
Mayor Bascome said, “I believe that it has a bit of spark involved, however I believe you need to involve our younger people. If you looked at the audience tonight, there weren’t many young people here, so if we’re looking to re-energise, we need to get the young people involved.
“We have so many avenues that I believe we can market Bermuda to. The eastern seaboard of the US is our oyster. We have an estimate of 95 million people from the age of 18-55, and we only want 550,000 so we need to attack the market that is there.
Concerning St George’s specifically, the Mayor said. “There was some that I was pleased with, but there was much that I did not hear. Hopefully, going forward, those things will be addressed.
St George’s is mentioned in the Tourism Plan as being a “New Destination Hub”. The plan calls for the EastEend to be marketed as a World Heritage Destination, connecting the past and present with colonial architecture and culture heritage.
Business opportunities suggested include walking tours, boutique retail, outdoor dining, craft makers markets, waterfront experiences and more.
In regards to gaming, Mayor Bascome said he has been “screaming for about three years for a referendum”. The Mayor would not say whether he was in favour or opposed to gaming but admitted “if it comes, I will probably have some fun also”.
Mayor Bascome said, “I don’t believe that our Parliamentarians have the gumption to make controversial decisions, that’s why I continue to speak to referenda.”
On the issue of progress being made on referendum legislation, Mayor Bascome said, “There is much talk. Let’s have it done. Let’s get it on.”
You need a hotel is St.Georges! That simple!
Where is it? Why has the present Government not delivered!
You can market this island until your blue in the face but unless this island offers what people really want it’s just a waste of time and effort. The saying “if you build it they will come” holds true but bottom line is that it has be affordable to compete with the other island destinations. Constantly hear tourists say that this is a sleepy island with no night life, expensive (with little value for money) and no all inclusive resort options. Addressing these things will make a difference.
they need a ship in St.Georges!!
These plans are nice, the software makes them look good, and the ideas can be sound. But of course, they are just that. Ideas. We need someone to come and say ‘I have 100 million dollars to invest in Bermuda (or St. George) let’s get on with it, but of course, there is no such person. Meanwhile, we know a marina would be a good idea; we know a hotel would be helpful; we know outdoor dining and live entertainment makes for a nice environment -we have all been to places that off exactly that. But how and who is this going to get done? No one seems to know. No bold steps are being taken. Meanwhile, jobs are lost and more foreigners -exactly the people we want down there eating in those cafes- are leaving.
So, where’s the action?
“…Mayor Bascome said, “I don’t believe that our Parliamentarians have the gumption to make controversial decisions, that’s why I continue to speak to referenda.”…”
He’s absolutely correct. Our gov’t (Ministers, Backbench and Senators) are ONLY concerned with being re-elected. What they consider to be controversial issues (such as gaming) they will foist off on us, the voters, as our “leaders” do not wish to take a position that might be controversial, champion it and be held accountable. They are not leaders, they are bureaucratic chair warmers who’s only desire is to continue to collect a pay cheque from us.
Well said, straight to the point, am glad he made the reference as to the reason the pants are worn to below the waist level.
Sorry but I have never found this guy full of personality