Dodwell: ‘Tourism Authority Well Received In UK’
A group from Bermuda Tourism is attending the World Travel Market in London UK and has over 50 meetings scheduled with existing and new industry professionals, suppliers, media and trade partners.
According to David Dodwell, Chairman of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the “introduction of the new Tourism Authority is being well received by the UK market.
“The consistency and ongoing business relationships we can reinforce and forge anew are strong in the UK. That, coupled with an obvious optimism and a feeling of strength for the coming year, bode well for our immediate future here.”
On Monday evening the Bermuda team hosted an Appreciation Dinner which was attended by over 60 VIPs held at the ME Hotel in Aldwych.
Photo [L-R]: Mark James BA, Karen Rondan Classic Collection, Donna Quinlan Saga, David Dodwell Chairman of Bermuda Tourism Authority, Ash Van Wensveen Ba Holidays, John Dixon, Classic Collection, Vanda Bauer Classic collection, Claire Canon Classic Collection.
The team announced the winners of their Partner Awards, which were created to recognize the achievements made in the past 12 months by all the key partners who the Ministry said are each enjoying significant growth in the market.
- Outstanding Partner, presented for not only their business growth but true partnership in assisting with road shows and key events was awarded to: Prestige Holidays – John Dixon, and Classic Collection – Vanda Bauer and Claire Cannon
- Excellence in Partnership, presented to Marc James at British Airways and Ash Van Wensveen from BA Holidays.
- Outstanding Hotel Partner, presented to Donna Quinlan at SAGA for going over and above with marketing ideas that have delivered increased visitors during the shoulder season.
- Certificate of Appreciation, to Karen Rondan from Classic Collection for special recognition for someone that has consistently gone over and above the call of duty, delivering new business to Bermuda.
The Ministry also said that this year to date Bermuda Tourism has “secured coverage in excess of £1 million reaching over 400,000,000 potential visitors.”
Some of the highlight coverage in the past few months includes a half hour segment on Radio 4 on John Lennon’s island legacy, a feature on Chaplin Bay for Sunday Times Travel and a three page feature in Daily Telegraph.
Mr. Dodwell said: “We are emphasizing the importance of partnerships, reinforcing connections that have served us well in the past and looking forward to forging new relationships. We are talking about the focus of the Bermuda Tourism Authority investment and experiences and our determination to provide unique values. “
JP Martens, President of the Bermuda Hotel Association said, “There is clearly a sense of optimism amongst our partners this year. You can feel the energy and the dynamic message delivered by David Dodwell has gone over well”.
Director of Tourism, Billy Griffith said, “The UK has shown growth of 15% this year, we invested in the market at the beginning of the year and that focus has shown significant returns. Even better, forward bookings are also well ahead, with projected double digit growth and we are confident that 2014 will be another year of growth.”
the only thing black in this photo is the award
Why does color matter when it comes to our tourism partners and especially if they assist us in bringing much needed tourists to our shores?
This island will fall due to the rampant hatred that is ingrained into our society.
Well some of the pants are!
You were expecting something different?
So we should choose our tourism partners and overseas promoters by race? Man you guys have some serious issues.
Do you also only want black tourists as well?
We go to this every year. Same message, same result. They just do not get it! Change means change not using the same people trying to deliver a different message. No one is able to say who or what Bermuda is so how can you promote it?
Dodwell, Winfield…waste of money and time…..which by the way, will tell!
You know…. I really don’t care if everyone in the picture was psychedelic. Too many of you Bermudians are SO TRIFLING when everything has to boil down to who is black and who is white. Grow up… Get over it…. move on…. and stop showing your ignorance. and yes i am a BLACK BERMUDIAN.
Its amazing what one can come up with when using someone elses money. I hope the cost of every penny will be posted in the media for the paying taxpayer to see…
I hope that Mr. Dodwell also invited Mr. Mel Ming,the president and CEO of the Sesame Street Workshop. I’m sure Mr. Ming can show him a thing or two on how to grab an audience just from the muppets.
The Ombudsman makes a statement and says:
November 6, 2013 at 9:07 am
the only thing black in this photo is the award
SO WHAT smuck!
O.B.A. said it’s time for change…this aint change, same oh same oh….If you’re white you’re right, if you’re black you stay back…..
PUT BERMUDA ON THE MAP.
If you want more Visitors to come to Bermuda .
You have/need to give them a reason for coming here.
From a small seed grows the mighty Oak tree.
I believe the answer is diversification.
Time has come to role out the red carpet not the red tape,for years this island has been the island of “NO” ! when it should be “YES”.
May be Sport / Activities in all its its forms could be the ultimate draw card.
There is not one day that goes by on this island of ours that there should be something going on here.
In the past we relied on just a few at the Department of Tourism to promote just Fishing and Golf.
My suggestion for a better future, is to get a think tank of 100 People / Managers/ Leaders/ Retirees as they do in St Augustine Florida to promote; manage and run every indoor and out door activity under the Sun here for young and old.
We need doe’s not talkers.
How about a “Special free” visitor activity news paper given at the airport, call it the Red Carpet.
Here is my short list
Golf; Sailing; Boating ; Cricket; Bike racing : Fishing; Stock Car racing; Ballroom dancing; Chess
Bridge; ; Gourmet Cooking; Marathons; Triathlons ; Camping ;Music ; Broadway style show Etc. Etc.