Shadow Tourism Minister Raises Concerns
Shadow Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert has expressed concerns that the retaining of a leading executive search firm to assist the new Tourism Authority Board to review and appoint the first Chief Executive Officer raises even more questions about the Tourism Authority.
Wayne Furbert said, “The OBA’s move to set up their Tourism Authority continues to raise more questions than answers about how this body will function, which Bermudian jobs will be lost, how it will be funded and how it will be held accountable.
“The recent announcement by David Dodwell that, “The Executive Steering Committee [ESC] has retained a leading executive search firm, Korn Ferry, to assist in identifying a short list of the best candidates for the new Tourism Authority Board to review and appoint the first Chief Executive Officer,” raises even more questions about the Tourism Authority and their commitment to keeping Bermudians as active participants in the industry.
“We ask the Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell to confirm:
- 1. That all Immigration laws, procedures and policies for advertising the post of CEO of the Tourism Authority prior to conducting a search overseas have been followed
- 2. That the post of CEO of the Tourism Authority has not been advertised overseas prior to qualified, capable Bermudians being given the opportunity to apply
- 3. The tendering process used to select Korn Ferry
- 4. The cost of contracting Korn Ferry to conduct the search for a Tourism Authority CEO
- 5. Whether the ESC has been created by the Ministry of Tourism or the current Tourism board?
“Many of us have come to understand that “we need the best talent,” is often coded language for Bermudians need not apply.
“While there are instances where we have not produced Bermudians with the expertise or experience to fill certain posts, we must however stay vigilant to ensure that the process of hiring the CEO for the Tourism Authority is open, transparent and fair.
“At present, the OBA’s handling of the transition from a Bermuda Department of Tourism to a Tourism Authority has been defined by a lack of openness and transparency, questions of political cronyism and an air of unease and uncertainty. Bermuda deserves better”.
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- Dodwell Disappointed By Furbert’s Comments | Bernews.com | September 10, 2013
glad my parents straighten me out at 17yrs old. Hotel work was fast cash but a college education has paid handsome dividends
MP Furbert – you will undoubtedly be attacked by various bloggers today for your statement but please remain vigilant with your follow up.
The instance of hiring Dr. Heatly as Education Commissioner comes to mind and the long term implications for Bermudians.
We collectively hope that there will be a fair chance for Bermudians since there is truly no one that can sell Bermuda like a Bermudian,
The other question I continue to ask is who will provide the funding for the Authority???
If the local hoteliers are so expert at selling their own property, why are they continuously asking for various subsidies and other grants from government or complaining about poor results??
Awesome Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert. These are valid points which must be investigated so that we as Bermudians have the information moving foward.
1. That all Immigration laws, procedures and policies for advertising the post of CEO of the Tourism Authority prior to conducting a search overseas have been followed.
2. That the post of CEO of the Tourism Authority has not been advertised overseas prior to qualified, capable Bermudians being given the opportunity to apply.
These are valid points along with the rest of them.
I trust that the OBA will be a little more transparent and thorough than the PLP was, and hopefully this will prevent 99 year leases to Gov owned properties like Coco Reefs / Stonington and hopefully they wont do such silly things like forget to sign Cruise ship contracts in time, which led to us having 12 less cruise ship visits this year.
Or as a PLP supporter, did you conveniently forget about those PLP “shhhhhhh lets not talk about it so the public will forget” moments, just to name a few.
Dodwell himself should be the choice but he is not ‘bermudian’ enough for Furbert I would imagine..,
Name a more successful hotelier or tourism professional in Bermuda.
I think you should ask the tax commissioner to verify your statement. I’m speaking strictly in his professional capacity. The reefs Are very nice IMHO, and I hear his property in Nevis is also a nice place but………….
But… what?
Dodwell may be a good hotelier but he is not that great at tourism otherwise he would have made a difference when he was Minister. If memory serves me right, tourism sucked under his leadership as well.. His sidekick Winfield is even worse.
where will the tourism authority get their money?
what will be the need for the tourism minister after the tourism authority is in place?
transport
Why are you afraid of the idea flip flop, Afraid it’s going to work!!!
How many tourist have you frightened off with your off key singing.
Bermuda Boy:
This type of response is really not necessary and doesn’t help us as a country. The Opposition has a role; and even if you have something against Mr. Furbert, his questions and ability to question as an Opposition MP is completely legitimate.
For the sake of Bermuda, let’s all smarten up!
Same applies to all MP’s that spew at lot of unnecessary rhetoric!
I long for the abolishment of political/raced-based parties and politics!
Smith’s
LMFAO Bermuda Boy!!!!
You are absolutely correct with your comments. When Flop was Tourism Minister people were too afraid to say his singing sucked. Flop was the most embarrassing Tourism Minister Bermuda has ever had.
If he was still the Tourism Minister, trust me, he would have his family and friends in place.
“Many of us have come to understand that “we need the best talent,” is often coded language for Bermudians need not apply.
Maybe if you politicians were “better talented” and smarter. Bermuda college would be a University and people wouldn’t have to go a way to school and take Bermuda $$ and spend it in other countries. Heck more people could actually get educated and fill top positions. Then statements like the above wouldn’t exist.
Heck if politicians were smarter, maybe our government wouldn’t have a 1.XBn dollar debt.
If politicians were smarter our tourism industry would have rebounded by now and we would be a player in the industry.
If politicians were smarter they wouldn’t need to hire consultants to help them do their job as they would be skilled enough and smart enough to do it their selves.
If politicians were smarter, we wouldn’t have relied solely on International Business and our cost of living would be half of what it is now and Bermudians could enjoy a higher quality of life.
If politicians were smarter we would see job creation in 2013 and not job loss!
Agreed re a university……check this year reply to the throne speech by Opposition Leader Marc Bean……it’s there, in addition to getting rid of middle schools….BUT, Min Nalton dismissed it! To the rest of your comments I will say this…..if citizens like yourself were smart enough not to depend on politicians, then you wouldn’t expect them to be smart…….comprende?
“if citizens like yourself were smart enough not to depend on politicians, then you wouldn’t expect them to be smart…….comprende?”
I’m guessing you’re joking or using some sort of sarcasm with this statement because you can’t be serious.
“Bermuda deserves better” ….. And we GOT better once the OBA replaced the failure known as the PLP.
oh really,,
Can’t do any worse, can they?
Evidence or just heresay Mike?
If I wanted my words to be used again, I’d have typed them myself.
Your silly games of trying to thrown my questions back in my face are as ridiculous as you are.
You’re asking for evidence of… what?
I asked a question. I didn’t make a claim.
But, as opposed to your tactics, I’ll take you seriously for a second. I said “Can’t do any worse, can they?”
There’s an argument that I’m making a statement.
If I was, the evidence I’d use to back it up would be the financial and economic situation we’re in and the PLP Government’s mismanagement of the country that allowed us to get this deep. I’d also point to the incredibly poor showing on the Tourism front this year and the past few, all under the watch of your party.
The new Government would be pretty hard pressed to do a worse job than the one the PLP Government did over the past few years.
Evidence enough for you?
Why am I asking. You’re just here to spread party propaganda. You aren’t interested in the welfare of the country. I’m so silly sometimes, taking you seriously.
I don’t think so…
Christ – Mr Furburt, I expect you would have a serious concern if someone from the OBA went to the bathroom or sneezed.
This constant scab picking is really becoming boring – and you know what they say about that, it leaves scars; and in this case they will be scars on the PLP.
Chaos theory, do you think that the questions that Furbert is asking are not worth asking?
Ugh, please put a muzzle on Flip Flop.
OMG…flip flop never learns,like the rest of the plp…
you are NO longer the Government!
sit down and watch how it should be done.
agreed, flip flop is flapping his gums again despite the fact he failed miserably at both sides of the house, he likes to her himself waffle.
I have it on good authority that this position was created with the mindset of hiring a non-Bermudian. The things they say you have to be qualify for on the application are things they put on there so no Bermudians would have so it will automatically rule us out. However these are things that you don’t need or will use trust me. It’s the system of tailoring a position for an expate not A Bermudian. All companies in Bermuda do it and there is nothing we can do to change it. Even if we have a Bermudian with all the qualification on the application, most times it will get changed without your knowledge which will exclude him/her and hire a expact. I know it happens, but unfortunately there is not enough of us to stand up and speakup when it happens.
Evidence? Or is it just hearsay?
Mike, when will you provide some facts on this blog?
I’ll provide facts, and do, every time I make a claim.
Every single time.
Unlike you and yours, I back up the things I say.
Now. When will YOU do that?
Let’s see who they hire and that will be your evidence
Correlation doesn’t imply causation.
I’m asking if he has any evidence of his claim.
None has been forthcoming.
At last someone realizes that tourism is spinning down the toilet, and that something needs to be done. If it takes an expat to do it, so be it.
To Bermudian,
Go and see Minister Crockwell and David Dodwell, being you have inside information on the hiring of non-Bermudians. Let me know what they have to say!!!! I will wait to hear!!!!And if they tell you yes they are going to hire expats. I will march up to their offices with you.!!!!! I will find enough people to come stand up with you!!!!!
It is so easy to shoot the messenger. Every time Mr. Furbert issues a statement the bloggers attack, but if they were really objective and serious, they would realize that he is asking some very valid and important questions.
I notice you haven’t spoken against this when folks go on the attack when someone from the OBA speaks…
Interesting, that.
As for his “valid and important questions”?
They’re just a regurgitation of the hypocritical talking points that the PLP have decided to use against the Government. There’s nothing of substance there.
Mike Hind, in reality, most of the bloggers have been largely critical of the PLP everytime a Shadow Minister speaks. The usual narrative is spoken – the last 14 years, flip flop, cog in the wheel, debt, etc…
Very rarely do the OBA faithful like yourself focus on the issues. You speak to these other talking points to distract from the issues.
Listen to magic 102, when the Sherri Simmons show is on, as it is there you will learn what true and undribled hatred is. And it happens everyday. My favorite was the caller last week who went on as to why he will never vote for a white or Portuguese Bermudian ever and why any Party who embraces these “types” (except for Zane Desilva of course) will never get his or his family’s support. But even better was Ms. Simmons’ response to this form of hatred.
Tune in and enjoy.
And there it is. The “You’re an OBA faithful” nonsense.
I have said – and proved – time and again that I’m not an OBA supporter. What I DO support is honesty and integrity.
You’re showing neither. You’re talking nonsense and lies.
In REALITY, propaganda merchants like you deal in dishonesty and misinformation and hypocritical false messages.
Nice try, but if I wanted to hear my own words said again, I would have written them again.
The issue is that you and your party have nothing to offer any more and we deserve better than this.
You support honesty and integrity Mike? Serious dude? And in the same breath you claim you are not an OBA supporter? Mike, do you have any issues since the formation of the Oba, and now as government, that concerns you in regards to honesty and integrity? Let’s fact check your honesty and integrity Mike! As you like to say, provide the evidence!
Yep. This “Mike is an OBA supporter” thing is something you and yours cooked up in a feeble attempt to denounce me and distract from the questions I ask, simply because I ask questions that you don’t want to answer.
Of course I have problems with the OBA as Government and as a party.
THAT’S WHY I’M NOT A SUPPORTER!
I’ve spoken out against many things that they’ve done in the past. But this doesn’t work into your narrative, so you just make up a new reality.
You just don’t like that I’m not an unquestioning follower of your propaganda, so you have to try to smear me the worst way you know how. It’s not MUCH of a smear, but it’s simply untrue.
You want to fact check? Go ahead. I’ll provide any evidence you want…
You gotta ask the questions, first. As my position is that I DO support honesty and integrity – and the evidence is all over. For example, when I ask people to back up their claims if it seems that they’re making stuff up for political reasons. That’s a pretty good example – so… I don’t know what you’re asking me to provide evidence for.
Care to elaborate? Or is this just yet another cheap mudslinging attempt because you don’t like it when people dare question the propaganda?
And… “The last 14 years” ARE the usual narrative because, if it weren’t for the “Leadership” of your party over the last 14 years, we wouldn’t be in this mess!
So, yes. When the folks that got us into this over the last 14 years get up and start acting like they know what they’re talking about – when all the evidence points to the opposite – then, yeah, the “usual narrative” will continue to crop up.
I know you demagogues don’t want people thinking about the incredibly bad job of managing the country that your party did, but it’s a fact of life and WILL get referenced. Get used to it.
Funny thing is that your lack of objectivity is completely obvious when you refer to the last 14 years for everything. There were many successful initiatives in the last 14 years, and Bermuda had unprecedented economic growth during much of that. Lets not be disingenuous and act like there was no good achieved during the PLP government.
Now you’re just making stuff up. I never referred to “the last 14 years for everything”. You’re talking out of your bottom.
No one claimed that good stuff didn’t happen.
However, your side seems to think that nothing bad happened.
If the truth is so bad, why do you have to make up lies to prove your point?
Wayne, you appointed Dodwell remember!
But unlike Crockwell, Wayne was not controlled by Dodwell? Btw, where is Corey Butterfield these days?
Yes you are right, Wayne like the others ere controlled by the Good Doctor.
Why does Mr Furbert feel compelled to speak on the subject of tourism? Was there anything about his record in that role that distinguished him from any other PLP tourism Minister? Nothing has worked so why not being in an outsider…..
because he was appointed as the Shadow Minister of Tourism by the Opposition leader…duh
More of a rhetorical question….put another way…what has Mr. Furbert ever done that would make him qualified to speak on the subject……although that would apply to most of the opposition would it not?
I guess thats why the minister never speaks about tourism hey?
@Bermudian
I know of people that fight for the rights of Bermudian workers.Are you willing to accept the help ?
When tabled in parliament details will be put forth. That would be the time to pick things apart and ask specicic questions, and I encourage Mr. Furbert and all others to do so. Doing so now is just posturing.
Vote for Me says:
MP Furbert – you will undoubtedly be attacked by various bloggers today for your statement but please remain vigilant with your follow up.
@ Vote for me I am encouraged by the statement you have made above. It just goes to show that we have individuals that are willing to express the truth despite of potential repercussions here on bernews.
Tourism has been struggling for years. I want the best person running it they can find. It will be good for all of us. I don’t care if the person is Bermudian or not. I want Tourism revitalised. That is what counts. That will create jobs for Bermudians, not arguing about the nationality of the Tourism head.
Is the current Director of Global Operations for the Dot, Ms. Anne Shutte, a Bermudian?
Didn’t think so. And now the Party who appointed her is complaining about hiring non-Bermudians (even though it hasn’t happened) and trying to label this Party as being anti-Bermudian and the like? Reminds of me of how they hired Andrew Brooks, a foreigner, to head up Port Royal, but then turn around and complain because this Government hired them as their golf tourism ambassador.
Sorta hypocritical don’t you think?
That’s why I will always be an enducated voter, because we have some die hard party supporters regardless of the issues at hand.
These questions are nececcary and needed regardless of your political affiliation. Well done MP Fubert.
@ Bermuda Boy
You might have something personal against the honorable Wayne Furbert, but the questions being asked are legitimate and frank.
@ God 1st, Ewart, Flip Flop or whatever your name is, the honorable Wayne Furbert….Really!!!!! GIVE ME A BREAK.
Yup, the Honourable Wayne, do you have a problem with that? How on earth did Craig become Hounourable, if Wayne isn’t? You folk are sick. Legit questions have been asked by the person elected to ask them. If the OBA was so sneaky, maybe these questions weren’t required!
Wasn’t so sneaky….sorry
Wayne cannot sing at Baseball games anymore.
Dear Minister Furbert,
Is it true that you are unemployed?
If this is true, I encourage you to apply for the CEO position of new tourism authority, that way Bermuda can benefit from your experience with YTB.
Jobs for Bermudians I say
1,999 jobs to go
No thanks. No proven failures need apply.
The OBA is – 3000 jobs so far. After the Tourism Department it will be 3060……lol
Mike is the master at spin.
Did he vote in the last election?
He supports no party.
Seek help.
You’re talking nonsense. As usual.
Try some meetings, Rummy.
@Wow LOL