PLP: “We Must Ensure That All Are Included”
[Updated] “The PLP is deeply concerned at reports from taxi and boat operators that they appear to have been deliberately left out of efforts by the Bermuda Tourism Authority to sell Bermuda to the hundreds of travel agents set to visit Bermuda,” said Shadow Tourism Minister Zane DeSilva.
Mr. DeSilva said, “As the BTA has consistently failed to be open, transparent or accountable, Bermudians are left to figure out for themselves whether two key stakeholders in our tourism industry have been deliberately or inadvertently left out of the loop and denied the opportunity to participate in what could be a moneymaker for those that the authority chose to include.
“For Bermuda to succeed as a tourism destination, the BTA must be more open, accountable, transparent and inclusive. Our taxi drivers, boat operators and small property owners all have a role to play in the restoration of Bermuda’s tourism industry.
“We must ensure that all are included, all have an opportunity to have their voices heard and all have an equal opportunity to make money off of BTA initiatives such as this. We can’t afford to turn tourism into an exclusive “old boys club,” with so many Bermudians out of work and struggling,” concluded Mr. DeSilva.
In response, BTA Stakeholder Relations Adviser Glenn Jones said, “A number of taxi operators are already assisting with ground transport logistics. ASTA members, having arrived in Bermuda on the Breakaway this morning, finalized their site visits and excursion preferences while en route and that information was relayed to Select Sites who arranged the necessary transportation.
“Based on demand over the two-day stay transportation needs are being updated accordingly.”
Update 6.21pm: BTA CEO Bill Hanbury said, “Our primary focus is to make a stronger tourism economy for the entire country and that is going to require a truly national effort.
“When I spoke on Monday about the visit of ASTA I talked about the need for a united front, where we are all in this together. Retailers, taxi operators, hoteliers, excursion providers, mini bus drivers, jewelers and countless others are all working in unison right now to give the best possible visitor experience to these travel influencers.
“Many stakeholders discounted their rates because, like us, they see the marketing value of this small piece of business leading to a lot more business later – not just for themselves but for the entire industry. As long as we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot, there will be many opportunities in the future.
“I hope we don’t waste this opportunity before us. I hope we can push aside differing perspectives so these influencers know a truly outstanding visitor experience is the country’s top priority. Everyone should be united in protecting the brand.
“As always we are an organization open to criticism and welcoming of homegrown ideas to improve tourism. We invite our stakeholders to contact us directly to foster stronger partnerships.”
The PLP wants to “ensure that all are included”? That’s a first.
Zane, you really are Bermuda’s most dislikable politician.
Surrogate!
So Zane…we are suppose to believe that if the PLP had won the last election that YOU would be doing better??? LMFAO ARO !!!
Go rest bie’ haven’t u’lot stepped in the crap already? I would imagine the next move would be for the B.I.U. to step in with industrial more strikes?
Sure you’re right…
Typo: more industrial strikes?
Raymond Ray !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Robert!!!!!!!!!. I don’t believe you put food on my table or a roof over my head nor clothes upon my back, so who are you?
Hahah so what’s it so far this week? First Renee Ming, then Derrick, now Zane…all getting it wrong.
Well done, BTA for setting the record straight.
That’s three strikes this week PLP.
If I remember correctly, a spokesperson or taxi driver was on the radio saying how an agreement couldn’t be made do to greedy drivers. I’m paraphrasing but that was generally what was said.
Oh come on PLP get off it. You just want BDA to fail with stupid ‘ish like this.
All you do is criticze. Where is the praise for the BTA to get 400 travel agents on island all at once or to get BDA in the final two for the Americas Cup?
And yet to transport that many guess around I’m sure they’re not using private cars.
And zane remind me again why you refused to reveal dr. Thomas’ tax payers dudes salary while
Minister of health?
“Tax payers funded”
Don’t you listen? The BTA did NOTHING to get the travel agents and Hanbury said so. They chose a cruise and chose NCL and chose Bermuda. And the America’s Cup is a Gibbons initiative, the BTA is along for the ride. The BTA has and is doing NOTHING new.
Well I’m pretty sure the BTA ensured that all activities, sightseeing, transportation and other logistics were in place prior to their arrival.
Why do you guys so desperately want to return to a failed tourism department model? What is your obsession with not improving?
It should be clear to you that the reason is “Civial Servant Jobs” which alot of PLP people beleive if your cant get a job government is your last chance to feed your family. Or at least that is what I’ve been told.
SHH! The truth is not accepted on this website. It is as valuable a federal reserve notes!
You sound like an idiot! That is all!
IT’s obvious that you @#$%holes didn’t know that US black people have been left out since slavery days.
Go home mate, you’re drunk.
Wow. So you have no job, no house, no money in the bank, no quality of life whatsoever?
Travel Agents ” MEET THE PEOPLE”. Gypsy cab any one free ?
I will even dress like a chauffeur.
Transport department stick your restrictive rules and policies in your ear !
Newish Mid Atlantic policy no visitor need walk
When the ship is sinking every one has to man the pumps.
X taxi driver.
Why do cabbies agree to pay for a license, radio, GPS and other fees and still allow these “Gypsie cabs” to have an unfair advantage, charge less, and in essence steal from them?
TCD has officers driving around the island in the TCD car looking for what exactly? I see them at the airport policing the same taxi drivers that are doing things by the book and are in a line? I wonder then why do they look the other way when they drive by “certain Hamilton grocery stores” where Gypsie cab drivers operate freely and without fear of prosecution.
Why would I go through the trouble to take the test, pay for a taxi license, pay for GPS service when all I need is a $149 radio scanner to listen to dispatched calls, and I can not only compete, but make more money because I don’t have the overhead. Cabbies, you continue to look the other way and not care, so why should I feel guilty about taking a gypsie cab ride home from the grocery store in Hamilton …and save money too.
Isn’t it a weeny bit racist to use the term ‘Gypsie’ like this – if I was a traveller I would take offence!
The PLP helped put licks on the taxi industry by allowing unfair competition.
$100,000 for a taxi permit $10,000 for a minibus permit. Who likes the taxi industry? Certainly not the former govt.
The DOT,now BTA, along with the major hotels, have ignored the land attractions &water sport offerings for many many years
They seem to think that people travel to places to sleep in their beds & eat in their restaurants. That’s it.
Of course it does not work that way. People travel to do things & see stuff. They can sleep & go to great restaurants at home.
They need to eat &sleep after a busy day experiencing the Bermuda outside of the hotel property.
I agree. But when the opposition and (certain) members of the public are chimping out over salaries and cannot even put on a united front for ONE EVENT (such as today), the thought that a cohesive effort can be made by the BTA and government to promote extra activities such as water sports becomes almost laughable. But good idea, nonetheless.
Write your suggestion on a piece of paper, fold it, and throw it into the magic hat.
This is an example of why government hinders economic progress not enhances it…as “government free” as the BTA claim to be…
Bta chooses only who they want and the taxi guy on the news is crazy too. Bta and the taxi president should be on the same boat. Jokers.
Why don’t you join them? Clearly a (failed) attempt to parody Bermuda tourism’s current slogan, it’s evident that your name also speaks to your intelligence, your parentage, and your ability to contribute society (and in this instance, a constructive dialogue).
Keep up,
The taxi operators were contacted months ago and asked if they would consider discounteing their rates to participate in this important event. This was confirmed by their leader. They failed to provide a cohesive response so the BTA were forced to seek alternative arrangements with another vendor.
This isn’t a case of the BTA not working with stakeholders, it’s a case of the PLP manufacturing a story devoid of facts preferring instead to fabricate discontent for political posturing. Nothing more.
PLP – party before country since 1998.
hmmmm. wonder where they learned that? Page 2 of the OBA/UBP in opposition handbook.
Do you actually have anything of substance to say about the above? Or just rail on about your undying political allegiance?
The PLP now has a former UBP member in their ranks so how can this apply any more? The PLP is now the former UBP.
Um no .. from the Head of the Bermuda Taxi Operators himself.
THIS!!!!!!! God bless your soul!
Why would you discount your rate to help wealthy people? Why must a taxi driver drop his rates to mislead these supposedly 400 important travel agents? It’s common sense that if/when they send people to Bermuda one of the frequently asked questions is going to be taxi prices…This is the **** I’m fed up with in Bermuda. Bunch of Bull**** politicians that try and trick people. OBA and PLP need to stop working against each other and start working together then maybe we will get somewhere but until then it’s going to be a never ending circle.
Travel agents are wealthy people?
SMH, it sounds like you have a whole lot of issues going on!
Hey, the taxi drivers were not forced to do anything. They voluntarily decided to be uncompetitive. It’s not the OBA’s fault, or the BTA’s fault. The taxi drivers decided what they wanted to charge, they were uncompetitive, and the business went elsewhere.
Life is like that for most of us.
I guess when yur nobody’s friend, u have to go out and make some. Taxi industry still in shambles. how can you say you weren’t invited to the big dance when u decided not to come because of ……what?
Yo bill,
Why don’t you discount your rate?
That would help, we’re bleeding out here.
I wana know how much bill is being paid, don’t you? Just be open about it dang
If you park for two hours you make zero$s. Sometimes something is better than nothing especially during times like this when you are trying to make a good impression.
if you don’t get it, you never will? Sorry.
Zane: What are you going to complain about next? That the sun comes up in the east so unfairly favours Tucker’s Town?
Or perhaps that the sun sets in the west thus unfairly giving Southampton & Sandys a bit of extra light.
I’m sure you’ll come up with something.
To say that you are acting like a silly old woman, would be an insult to elderly females who never finished school.
Hilarious.
“Like us, they see the marketing value…”
Although they unlike you are expected to offer discounted rates.
“I hope we can push aside differing perspectives”
In other words push aside all those who disagree with the bta?
“So these influencers know a truly outstanding visitor experience is the country’s top priority.”
Hate to break it to ya, but, unfortunately it is not.
Even though your “compensation package” might lead you to believe that.
Our first priority seems to be helping the filthy rich, get richer. That is why we continue to promote ib, the number one “pillar” of our failing economy.
The whole statement almost sounds like a veiled threat… echoing the sentiments of your newest employee. If there are any shortfalls in your hopes and dreams of reinvigorating tourism, the blame will be placed squarely on you, first, then dodwell and the rest of your team. Be careful. Unfortunately we will be here to clean up the mess, can the same be said for you?
You’d be better off letting glen do the job for which he is paid. Stakeholders relations or something like that, right?
I am not impressed.
No ppl skills.
My car is ready anytime!
The PLoP forgot to take their medicine this week!
The PLP are most definitely transparent.
Yeah, we all can see right through them
HEY ZANE HEY ZANE,
Again open mouth and insert foot~!
Wasnt your govt that made the taxi drivers spend alot of extra wasted money for a GPS system that proved fruitless!Now all of a sudden you care about them. I think Butterfield and Vallis sell straws go buy a box so you have something to grasp at.
Humor us reply top some of these post,defend yourself!
lately it seems that Zane only opens his mouth to change feet – how can you accuse the BTA of excluding the taxi operators when they (the Taxi operators)accept they were approached months ago?? Its quite clear he doesn’t check his facts before sounding off – not a good habit to have if you want to be (presumably) a minister someday!!
The PLP continue to prove they do not have bermudians best interest at heart. This statement just verifies that they will jump at any chance to make a mountain out of another molehill. At least now there is no question as to the PLP’s not so hidden agenda. Shameful. Bermudians only suffer more because of it too. Listen to mr Hanbury. Communicate with the BTA directly. It will prevent this kind of nonsense happening. If the PLP really cared that is what they would do.
You guys are doing a great job – just sayin. It is unfortunate though that you have to report on such a waste of oxygen like Zane. But this is the story. Keep up the good work!
As the Minister of Finance has “SAID”
Money does not grow on trees.
Money comes from outside of Bermuda.
It will take awhile for some folks to get it.
Then again some folks will never get it.
Zane if I may quote your former Great and Glorius Leader “We don’t care what you think”….at least I think that is what he said among other things…
PLP did nothing for taxi drivers except force unnecessary GPS on them.
We have to admit the fact that the Zane DeSilva & his PLP are a laugh a minute. What a joke.
Thanks PLP
Please try harder to hurt the first professional business approach to Tourism the country has seen in years. This is the industry that we need to grow fast, and it will be the employer for many, thats if you don’t throw it under the bus just to attack the OBA.
Tourism efforts should be a Sacred Cow for all politicians. Treat it that way and you all, OBA included, might find the optimism and success that the various agents that were here this week talking about. Already, the impression in the industry is that Bermuda is back and growing its tourism.
I do believe that the Authority was really set up under the former Gov. and just enacted by the current, no? short memories??