Minister Hails Success Of Bridge Tournament

Minister of Tourism Development and Transport Shawn Crockwell today [Feb 20] congratulated the organizers of the Bermuda Regional Bridge Tournament which saw hundreds of visitors come to the island for a week of bridge, sightseeing and socializing.

Now in its 55th year, a total of 326 overseas visitors came for the week-long tournament, a 38% increase on last year’s visitor numbers.

Minister Crockwell said: “The Bermuda Regional Bridge Tournament has been bringing visitors to our shores every winter for more than half a century. I applaud the organizers for working hard to increase the number of participants and guests this year. From all reports an excellent time was had by all and many will be back next year and plan to bring more friends and family.”

Tournament Chairman Katrina Van Pelt said: “We have made some changes to the tournament to identify ourselves to groups of intermediate players to come and have a First Class Bridge Vacation and it’s not all about the bridge – many brought non-playing family members who spent the week out and about enjoying the island.

“They experienced Hamilton, Dockyard and Masterworks and the beautiful sunshine which smiled on us that week. We have tweaked our programme to cater more to intermediate players, stratifications and gold points making all the difference, and while they are here we give them a week long party – showering them with Bermuda Hospitality including local craft vendors one afternoon, a Goslings Swizzle night along with Cod Fish Cakes, Jonny Bread and chowder. At the end of the week everyone thoroughly enjoyed the prize giving gala.”

At the prize-giving gala the Minister presented the Tourism Award to New Jersey resident and Bridge teacher Debbie Crisfield. Ms Crisfield was introduced to the tournament by Ms Van Pelt and other committee members when they travelled to the Nationals in Washington DC in 2009 to promote Bermuda and the Regional Tournament.

Ms Crisfield first attended the Bermuda Tournament with 4 guests, the next year 10, last year 40 and this year 65 people accompanied her. Another notable group was 25 ladies from Halifax who thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Bermuda.

Minister Crockwell added: “Let me offer my special thanks to the Bermuda Regional Committee, Chairman Katrina Van Pelt, Donna Leitch, John Glynn, Judy Bussell, Sheena Rayner, Danielle Cloutier, Kathy Keane, Thomas Bolton and Rachael Gosling.

“This group has put on a world class event that will surely be one of the highlights of our events calendar, enjoyed by hundreds of visitors, for many years to come.”

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