Comments on: “Caribbean Travel Landscape Changed Forever”

By: Staffernee

Staffernee — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:46:48 +0000

If we play it right it will be very successful – most like we will fumble it.

By: Staffernee

Staffernee — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:45:25 +0000

Cruise ships tourists don’t spend money on the island, and why would they? They can do all their shopping, eat at restaurants, and get entertainment on the ship.

By: Staffernee

Staffernee — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:44:32 +0000

Milennials enjoy ethical vacations. We need greener transportation with more “natural” resorts of beach huts etc and put a focus on the natural beauty and “wild side” of Bermuda with hiking and diving packages.

By: Staffernee

Staffernee — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:42:51 +0000

Those type of (cruise ship) tourists don’t spend money on the island anyway.

We can’t have economic success selling $25 t-shirts while the tourist eat all their meals on the ship, and get all their entertainment on the ship.

$100 is the MAX one of these blue collar tourists will spend in any shop – that’s probably their daily budget.

We need to target airplane tourists

By: Ray

Ray — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 13:07:23 +0000

Kiss Tourism goodbye. Cuba can also cater to the Rich. With the exception of Cruise Ships coming in from the east coast (Boston, New York). Based on operating costs due to distance Bermuda should continue to corner that market.

By: JUNK YARD DOG

JUNK YARD DOG — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 11:05:22 +0000

Bermuda the island of NO ! NO ! NO !
An expensive over taxed little island.
Rule Britannia.

Why have you all gone so negative.
All you have to do is up your game in every sector.
Do what they do but only better.

Put your guns away.
Slow down.

Earn your money for some change.

By: Onion juice

Onion juice — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 10:14:08 +0000

Are you serious, that’s like having an Epidural injection for curing Cancer.

By: Onion juice

Onion juice — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 10:11:28 +0000

So we’re paying a Minister of Tourism and the B.T.A., and the C.E.O’s $1000.00 a day salary…… FOR WHAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Onion juice

Onion juice — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 10:06:51 +0000

We were warned when we complained during the College week era, how they were breaking stuff and fining them all their spending money for a joint, so the other islands that tolerate them got the business.

By: Onion juice

Onion juice — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 10:01:41 +0000

Years ago we had majority of locals working in the hospitality industry where you had repeat and generational visitors interacting with the locals in the industry, now you need a translator to interact with the industry workers.

By: Onion juice

Onion juice — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 09:56:41 +0000

And it cost 3 to 4 times and MORE to live in Bermuda, so what that gotta do with the price of rice in China.
The Caribbean is much cheaper and much more liberal fun.
We promoted Bermuda as a tranquil laid back British resort and now we’re realizing that, that’s not what market is attracting.
Not too long ago Hanbury separated us from the Caribbean and now he see’s that he didn’t have a clue about our heritage, he wants to promote Caribbean flavor.
What a F!@#ing JOKE.

By: Build a Better Bermuda

Build a Better Bermuda — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 00:25:47 +0000

It isn’t that we don’t target the blue collar worker, it’s that the cost of business here make it prohibitive to target the blue collar worker as we cannot compete on rates with the carribean. an employee with the lowest skilled job in the hotel industry here makes 3 to 4 times more than the same in the carribean… even more. And that moves right up the salary rates, which means our room rates are naturally higher to cover those higher costs… and that is just payroll effect, you add utilities and supplies’ expenses. So it isn’t that we don’t target blue collar tourism, it’s that we have to target markets that can more readily afford us.

By: Outkasted

Outkasted — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 23:42:25 +0000

They need to spread some onion juice

By: Regina

Regina — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:46:06 +0000

Thank God we have International Business and are able and willing to import skilled foreign talent…. oh, wait…

By: Thankfully we have the AC35!

Thankfully we have the AC35! — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:18:31 +0000

Well done OBA and others for securing the AC for our country–as all tourism eyes from the US will be focussed to the south at Cuba and sucking tourists from other Island venues–Bermuda will have a global spotlight shone on it as we host the world’s pre-eminent yaching event and other series–

The Atlantic Carribbean basin toursim story for the next couple of years will be Cuba and Bermuda hosting the America’s Cup!!!!

My brethren–this is the Bermuda’s Cup and let’s show the world what we are made of as they tune in and see our beautiful island!!!

By: Wonder woman

Wonder woman — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:58:13 +0000

The problem with Bermuda tourism is that the hotels are outdated, expensive and they do not cater for a family market. Why come here when you can stay in an all inclusive family friendly resort in Cuba or Jamaica for half the cost.

I agree with Paradise Reclaimed that Bermuda needs a better marketing campaign but what use is that if you are only able to cater for a limited market place. Bermuda has low crime rates and good public transport in comparison to other countries in the Caribbean, yet holiday companies offer cheap affordable breaks to countries where you are locked in compounds. Why? Because they are affordable to the masses.

Government needs to attract hotel developers who will offer lower cost family accommodations and get some tour operators offering package deals to the island.

By: BERMYGUY

BERMYGUY — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:20:06 +0000

LEGALIZE IT CAUSE ITS SMOKES SO GOOD, LEGALIZE IT CAUSE YOU KNOW YOU SHOULD.

By: Ed Case

Ed Case — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:19:47 +0000

Americans (our core market) will flock to Cuba for the music, cigars, old cars, gaming, car rentals, good timing night life. All the things we don’t provide because we have completely lost our competitive edge.

When it comes to these items Bermudidans just moan about how it will inconvenience them. They completely forget that it is the tourist we need to serve – if in fact we want to be in the tourist business.

Bermuda needs to decide before our product is eroded any further due to complete apathy.

By: Ed Case

Ed Case — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:10:04 +0000

If ever we needed to provide a competitive product, it is now. We need gaming, car rentals, night life. We currently have none.

Your (our) choice Bermuda.

By: Onion juice

Onion juice — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:05:10 +0000

Our international image is $$$$$

By: Triangle Drifter

Triangle Drifter — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:59:09 +0000

Bermuda’s worst tourism nightmare is coming to life.

You were warned many times from many years ago. The warnings were ignored.

By: Onion juice

Onion juice — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:28:09 +0000

It got us the title as the Laid Back Boring Island.

By: Onion juice

Onion juice — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:25:39 +0000

Dont stop there, what about the late night extra curriculum.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:20:19 +0000

And where has that gotten us?

By: Onion juice

Onion juice — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:59:47 +0000

We wanted Bermuda to attract the rich and famous,so that’s what we’ve got.
We cant compete with the Caribbean because our target does not include the average blue color worker.

By: Paradise Reclaimed

Paradise Reclaimed — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:28:06 +0000

Where is the Northeast corridor marketing? Ask anyone you know from the East coast if they have seen any ads for Bermuda, you will be disappointed. Iceland, yes, Bermuda no. Three hours from wheels up to feet in the sand, nobody else can offer what Bermuda does, if it’s offered . . .

By: Raymond Ray

Raymond Ray — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:18:12 +0000

We must be extremely vigilant if we wish to remain competitive in the cruise line industry. Note: “The cruise sector which has been lobbying the wider Caribbean to develop products and experiences beyond sun and sea, gives Cuba an opportunity to present itself as a more diversified destination.
“The major cruise companies have a well-established track record of successfully investing in new port infrastructure, and quickly establishing new or improved ports of call,” the CHTA said, and the “likelihood that cruise lines will drop some existing ports to accommodate Cuba port visits is real.”
The opening of Cuba will also impact the investment outlook for the wider Caribbean region “causing a chilling effect on investing in the Caribbean,” the paper said. “The fact that Cuba saw over $800 million in hotel-related investments in 2013 is a sobering thought. The Caribbean and its industry will find itself not only competing for American tourists but also for investment dollars…
Bermuda Government along with all Bermudians have a role to play in retaining our international image.

By: mumbojumbo

mumbojumbo — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:09:06 +0000

You will just have decriminalise marijuana ….before you naysay…please be advised it is the money people behind the dealers….that are the only ones adverse tuit……if you knew who they were…you must also know the reason we have addicts are because of the additives they currently and have for many many years put intuit…that creates the abhorrent behaviour and addicting…we could regulate it out …tax it luxury tax…and build Bermudas tourism back up….been to Holland?….they always are chockah block with visitors and money…..there are visitors that would see Bermuda as an alternative to expensive travel there…

By: swing voter

swing voter — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:58:53 +0000

Kiss Tourism goodbye folks! Like Sir John insinuated we better find another gimmick quickly.