Premier’s Trip To Chicago & Toronto Cost $4,675
A trip in July 2015 by Premier Michael Dunkley to Chicago to meet with United Airlines and to the International Economic Forum of the Americas in Toronto, Canada cost $4,675.43, according to a recent listing on the Government’s travel webpage.
The trip duration was listed as from Tuesday, July 07, 2015 to Friday, July 10, 2015; and the webpage listing said, “The Premier and Minister of National Security traveled to Chicago, IL with the Minister of Tourism Development and Transport to meet with senior Executives of United Airlines to discuss options for continuing service by United Airlines from Newark to Bermuda during the winter months.
“The Premier and Minister were supported by the Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the General Manager of the L.F. Wade International Airport and the Secretary to the Cabinet.
“The Premier and Minister of National Security then traveled to Toronto to participate as an invited panelist at the International Economic Forum of the Americas – Toronto Global Forum.
“While in Toronto, the Premier visited with Tim Terceira, a Bermudian, who is the General Manager of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Toronto, and visited Bermuda’s athletes and officials representing us at the Pan Am Games.
“The Premier was accompanied by the Secretary to the Cabinet. The total Air Travel costs were impacted by the late confirmation of the United Airlines meeting.”
Expenses
- Air Travel: $4,134.35
- Ground Transportation: $0
- Accommodation: $402.20
- Meals: $138.88
- Miscellaneous: $0
- Total Cost: $4,675.43
The Premier provided an update on the trip in the House of Assembly on Friday [July 10], saying they met with United Airlines to demonstrate “our keen desire to work with them to ensure that the winter service is not eliminated again.”
“United Airlines serves a major route for us from Newark, New Jersey,” the Premier said. “That route is of particular interest to us because it serves the business, leisure and resident markets out of one of our major catchment areas.”
“You would also be aware that United Airlines curtailed its winter service, and has now resumed normal service for the summer. The reduction in service has caused us significant concern.
“The purpose of our visit, therefore, was to demonstrate to United Airlines our keen desire to work with them to ensure that the winter service is not eliminated again,” the Premier said.
Speaking on the trip to Toronto, Premier Dunkley said, “I was honoured to have been invited, on behalf of Bermuda, to be a panelist at the International Economic Forum of the Americas – Toronto Global Forum.
“The focus of our panel was on a shared vision for the Caribbean. This provided an opportunity for me to share with participants the significant impact Bermuda has on the Global Economy. There is no doubt, Mr. Speaker, that Bermuda punches far above its weight.
“The International Forum of the Americas presented us with an invaluable platform to inform the broader Americas region of our strengths, and of the opportunities that exist in Bermuda.
“The brand Bermuda is making a significant presence in not only the International Business sector, but also in the leisure travel sector. As we so well know, both of these sectors work synergistically together.”
I hope they do not subsy a dead fish if the business was present they would want to fly ! What is the position on of the bta on this?