James Tweed Wins VIP Sunshine Award
The Visitor Industry Partnership [VIP], in association with lead sponsor, the Bermuda Tourism Board, announced that the first winner of the VIP Sunshine Award programme is bus operator James G. Tweed, who was nominated by Mrs. JoAnn Brown of New York.
This quarterly programme is designed to highlight a Bermuda resident who has gone ‘above and beyond’ to make a visitor’s stay in Bermuda ‘one to remember’.
Mr. David Dodwell, Mr. Tweed and Dr. Barbara O’Shaughnessy:
When Mrs. Brown’s family visited Bermuda, they felt that Mr. Tweed went above and beyond his duty as a public transportation bus driver.
She explained, “Our family had the pleasure of being passengers on his bus twice in the 3 days while we were docked in Bermuda. Mr. Tweed greeted all his passengers with a big smile and friendly demeanor. He obviously enjoyed his job and was proud to call Bermuda his home. He didn’t only drive us to our destination, but he also proudly explained the sites and culture of Bermuda.
“At one point he stopped the bus so the passengers could take a picture of one of the many beautiful beaches of Bermuda. Mr. Tweed represented all the people of Bermuda, very kind and friendly. We have traveled to many islands in the past, and Bermuda is our top pick! We are looking forward to returning to Bermuda someday and we will proudly recommend family and friends to visit Bermuda for vacation”.
The Chair of Visitor Industry Partnership, Dr. Barbara O’Shaughnessy said she proud to congratulate and thank Mr. Tweed for making the Brown family’s Bermuda holiday such a special memory and for “spreading some wonderful Bermuda sunshine.”
Mr. Tweed received a VIP Sunshine Award Pin and a congratulatory lunch, compliments of the Island Restaurant Group, with the Minister of Tourism Shawn Crockwell, the Chairman of the Tourism Board David Dodwell and the Chair of the Visitor Industry Partnership Dr. Barbara O’Shaughnessy.
Mr Dodwell remarked, “It is absolutely imperative that every man woman and child in Bermuda is gracious and welcoming to each and every one of our valued visitors. Walking the extra mile, doing that little bit extra is in the character and history of Bermudians from all walks of life. This heritage of warmth and caring personality continues to be epitomized by Mr. Tweed. If everyone took a leaf out of his book Bermuda tourism will soon be on the road to recovery.”
After hearing about this programme, the General Manager of The Fairmont Southampton, Mr. George Terpilowski awarded Mr. Tweed a complimentary hotel stay with dinner and breakfast. “Everyone in Bermuda is key to our visitors having a positive, memorable, vacation experience: from the child in their smart school uniform giving a smile and a wave; to the shop assistant, bus operator, the waitress and waiter and even the jogger on the railway trail taking their time to say hello with a happy face. These are the positives our guests take away as precious memories. The Fairmont Southampton is thrilled to participate in the Sunshine Award initiative. It is our way of saying thank you to those who make Bermuda so much more and Mr. Tweed is a shining example of going the extra mile.”
great job. there are really some amazing people out there that should be recognized and tweed is one of them. congrats.
if the rest of the bus drivers took a leaf out of this guy’s book,what a wonderful bus service our Island home would have!
Far too many are surly and unhelpful and many downright rude…
If you dont like doing this job.LEAVE!.QUIT!.you wont be missed!
well said some are just not fit for the job don’t know how they even got hired
This award is well-deserved. I recall traveling on Mr Tweed’s bus a few times last summer, when I was very much with child. He was kind, respectful, and would ask me regularly during my rides if I was doing okay.
He is genuine, and very proud to be in his profession.
Cheers to Mr Tweed, and job well done!
Riding Mr. Tweed’s bus has always been a real pleasure – he is always helpful, polite and happy. He more than any other person that I can think of really deserves this.
Congratulations Mr. Tweed, you are most deserving!
Great story. Mr.Tweed is a class act and his interaction with tourists is what makes Bermuda special. It reminds me of a bygone era when this island was second to none when it came to the hospitality industry.
With Mr.Tweed’s example there is much to be proud of and to aspire to if one is just entering the tourist business.
You’re the guy Tweed. Doing BDA proud. Keep it up sir.
Government can hire all the consultants it wants for milllions of dollars and have nothing to show but rest assured an island full of Mr. Tweeds would get us back as a top tourist destination in no time at all!
Well done! contune the good work.
Congratulations! Now there needs to be survey placed in buses to send in rating their experiences while riding the buses. I rode a bus out of Hamilton to St. David’s entrance…OMG! Thought I was gone die. Speeding, missing stops, just racing to complete shift I guess. Saw same driver yesterday approaching causeway from Hamilton direction. Again speeding and jamming breaks behind tourist riding rental bikes. Lord have mercy, get this man off our roads.
Congrats Jimmy…..Well deserved!!
Congratulations to my husband for being the recipient of the VIP Sunshine Award. He is well deserving of this as he has received numerous letters over the years from visitors thanking him for making their stay most memorable. I am so happy he is finally getting the recognition he deserves. I am so proud of you honey……
Thank you all for the accolades.