Opinion: “Bring New Ideas And New Solutions”

[Opinion column written by PLP MP Michael Weeks]

The Bermuda Progressive Labour Party has a responsibility to not only hold the government accountable, but to bring forward new ideas and new solutions to the issues facing Bermudians.

In the last session of the House, we brought forward draft legislation that would have ended conscription, decriminalized Cannabis and among other things, would have shifted Bermuda Day from the 24th of May to the Friday before the US Memorial Day in May.

This change in date would prove beneficial to Bermudians in many ways, and ties in nicely with the US Memorial Day Holiday, which would be a boost for our tourism product. You might rightly ask, with the economy is such dire straits and so many people out of work, why is changing the date of Bermuda Day so important? We believe that changing the date would not only create greater convenience for Bermudians, but would also create some economic benefits to our tourism industry.

The US Memorial Day holiday falls on the last Monday in May, creating for our American neighbors a 3 day weekend. This is a time when many travel and look to get a little time away for themselves before summer. By placing Bermuda Day on the Friday before Memorial Day, we open up Bermuda as a destination for these potential travelers that has the added benefit of our own local version of Carnival taking place over the same weekend!

Imagine the marketing opportunities for Bermuda. Imagine the possibilities that would open up for our hotels and tourist accommodations to do promotions and create special packages to capitalize on this new opportunity.

Successfully managed, this would lead to higher tourist arrivals for that period, that would mean more work for Bermudians in the hotel industry, more tips for Bermudians in hospitality and more opportunities to create an experience that will create regular return visitors who can further spread the word about what Bermuda has to offer.

Beyond the financial aspects, research has shown that when the holiday falls before a school day, attendance plummets. This is attributed to the high participation of our youth in the Bermuda Day Parade and the various sporting activities. Parents and students alike could benefit from a day to rejuvenate and recover. And, more importantly, the Ministry of Education statistics would show a notable increase in school attendance.

Bermuda Day is a celebration of all that makes us Bermudian. It celebrates our history, our heritage and our culture. When we look at the thousands of tourists that flock to the Caribbean for events that celebrate who they are, their music, art, history and people, it makes a compelling argument for us to delve deeper into how Bermuda and Bermudians can better benefit from our own heritage.

Bermuda is more than a place to vacation and make money. It is the warmth and friendliness of our people. It is our music. It is our art, our history and our culture. Many of us feel that our culture, our very way of life is under siege. To preserve it, we must continue to innovate and find new ways to give it life for today and for generations to come.

I hope that I have given you some food for thought and that you will support us in our efforts to highlight our Bermudian traditions and move Bermuda forward.

- Michael Weeks

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