VIP Airport Arrivals Lounge For AC Guests
Skyport announced the opening of a “new and exclusive airport arrivals lounge that it has created for the benefit of VIPs travelling to the 35th America’s Cup.”
A spokesperson said, “The lounge is located outside the Arrivals area, past customs, on a private terrace. VIP guests will be treated to Bermudian refreshments, such as Dark ‘n Stormies and ginger beer, provided by Gosling’s.
“The lounge will allow dignitaries to relax after their flight, while they wait for their transportation. They will be fast-tracked through Immigration and Customs and assisted with their luggage.
“VIPs are expected to include supporters of the six teams competing in the America’s Cup, visiting Government officials and celebrities.
“The lounge will be open from Friday, May 26 to Tuesday, June 27.
“The full cost of installing the lounge has been covered by Skyport, with the complimentary beverage service provided by Gosling’s.”
Ken Hassard, Commercial Director of Skyport, said: “We want to make sure our high-profile visitors start their trip to Bermuda on the right foot, and how better to do that than with a local cocktail. This lounge will provide a relaxing waiting area for those guests we most want to impress and reduce congestion in the Arrivals area.”
Charles Gosling, Vice President/Marketing Director of Gosling’s, said: “We are pleased to be able to give our pre-eminent visitors to the America’s Cup a taste of Bermuda’s unique brand of hospitality with the new complimentary VIP drinks. We will be showcasing the best of Bermuda’s cocktails, in particular the Dark ‘n Stormy.”
lolll what VIPs are gonna want sit and chill outside the airport, next to taxi rank. What a waste of time.
Sit off for a while and have a few drinks then walk out to de road, walk to de floating dock and get in de waitng boat.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmn
Why is the dock a quarter mile away from the terminal? Billionaires don’t like walking, and taxis don’t like short rides, wouldn’t it have been better across from the new lounge area and the lovely Castle Harbour Land Reclamation Project on the left?
It’s a wonderful touch. Paid for by Goslings. What’s not to like about an intro to Dark & Stormies (or Ginger Beer if that’s your preference) before getting in your Limo? You’ve paid thousands of $$$ for this experience most of which filters back into the economy. These are the Limo drivers (no planes had arrived yet) who have a fun job for 5 weeks. Don’t tell me it doesn’t benefit (implied black)Bermudians (the guy in the foreground is an ACEA organiser). The negativity of some people regarding this astonishing and lucrative event astounds me. And if we do it right, they’ll be back (unless Emirates NZ win, the other 5 teams love it here). ACLIM08 Driver J.
All us broke-a$$ commoners can encircle the area and stare longingly at the exclusive, pre-eminent (surpassing all others), VIP’s sipping on their free booze and reflect on why poverty is just a state of mind.
Yes the common folk who actually live and work here and who are the mainstay of the economy
Did they fix de leaks in de roof?
Lol, lol, lol, a good one. You got jokes! Lol lol!
Dun kill me
The art of hospitality is to make visitors feel welcome. Bermuda is in the hospitality business and striving to reclaim its reputation as being in the upper end of the market catering to the visitor who will appreciate and afford what we have to offer. If a temporary VIP lounge is what is required to make our visitors welcome more enjoyable then that is what we have to do in a polite, welcoming, friendly manner. You do what it takes to make visitors feel welcome.
Attitudes displayed as below will not assist Bermuda is its quest to return tourism industry to one of Bermuda’s twin pillars of the economy. Tourism benefits everyone in Bermuda, bottom to top. Smile, be friendly, be welcoming and aside the poor attitude for the next six weeks.
I can honestly see why the plp’s two bermuda campaign can work. While the ac is a big and important event a lot of things seem to be getting done purely because of the ac not despite it.
Meanwhile poor locals suffer the wait at customs
Will this be there when the ac has gone?
No now go back to work.
It says it’s temporary so I guess it’s temporary. And as a Proud Bermudian I’m glad that sorry excuse of an airport is getting an area for our very important guests with fat wallets and expensive tastes. Whatever happened to Bermudian hospitality? That’s the real two Bermuda’s, one extending their hands in friendship and the other extending their hands expecting a handout.
Yes what ever happened to you?
Extending our hand in friendship has not gotten us anywhere in over 400yrs…we sure as hell aren’t doing it for another 400.
Damn skippy.
Really
its no wonder we have the lack of appreciation for the Americas cup and what it has brought and what it will bring to our shores…We should be rolling out the red carpet to our visitors every day but definitely when we have an international event that is attracting them. We want them to be raving fans of Bermuda and come back. There are way too many short sighted Bermudians who want to know whats in it for me and when do i get mine ..we have created a few generations of I want i want Bermudians ,,,,, Get a Life its not about you ITS ABOUT BERMUDA
@Kevin – You say “it’s not about you,it’s about Bermuda” WOW! Maybe you undervalue yourself but sweetheart ya got it wrong….WE ARE BERMUDA!!
We live in Gimmee Land.
Gimmee another over priced bill.
And just who you think consist of Bermuda, we are tired of smiling and being hospitable while being treated like S!@#.
We did enough of that on de plantation. Times a changed.
You need to get out & see how our competitors treat customers. Are you allowed to travel? Pleasantness & a willingness to serve is better in an average Walmart than what you find here.
Service is not a dirty word.
It says may 26 to June 27 can you read
As a frequent traveler to Bermuda all I want to do is get in the fastest taxi to my destination. Can someone explain to me why the customs officer at the passport desk ask my entire family of 10 for return tickets? Lucky my daughter had them on her phone. My son wasn’t as lucky the officer paraded him to the back office with my daughter in-law and grandchildren. No other country in the World is asking visitors for return tickets. I normally enter very fast with a smile. All this did was cause the wait to be longer. Bermuda get with the times. I have other friends coming for America’s Cup. This is beautiful Island and the people are equally polite. The officer stressed that the government recently implemented that every tourist present a return ticket we have never had to present tickets before.
Actually, VIP lots of international destinations ask for proof that you’ll leave their country at the end of your vacation. It’s not that unusual.
Name one country that ask for return tickets. Sorry you said lots. Name them or keep quite!!!!!
France
Switzerland.
Quiet, you meant to say? If you are going to be offensive, be correct!
Everyone is entitled to their comments.
Canada
JAWS, when you enter the US, UK, Canada and many more and if you are not a passport holder of that country the officer will ask you, where you are going, where you are staying, why you are travelling, who you are with, and how long you will be there, and they check that info against your reservation info and what you filled out on your immigration form. They don’t have to ask for the return ticket info because the airlines, especially those flying the flag of that country, already provide them with that information. they ask the questions to check for inconsistencies.
VIP – sorry but like every other destination in the world we have great customs officers and some with a chip on their shoulders. I travel quite frequently and I experience the same issue with customs around the world. Some just don’t deal well with power.
USA
Canada
CANADA
Lots of customs and airlines ask for return tickets across the world! Maybe you just looked grumpy lol
Another lier. Name one country?
The US for one, Canada, and Australia are countries I have experienced for myself…
Good luck trying to get into the US with a one way ticket. That’s one for starters.
With a valid ESTA, from here with an uncertain schedule, I book one-way all the time; only problem I ever had was with Iceland Air coming from LHR via REK to BOS. Which incidentally last-minute with onward via Delta to BDA including 2 nights nice hotel and Jazz & dinner was $1k cheaper than BA, who wanted $2500 one-way direct!
Canada.
Bermuda….Well you said name one..
And who the hell cares, Bermuda would like to see your return ticket, not hold your first born hostage until you leave.
Sherbet Man is right! Personally: Thailand, USA, Canada, other countries um been to in South America, and Australia and NZ!
VIP have you ever traveled to another country? USA requires it, Australia, every single Asian country, Europe as a whole….THE ENTIRE WORLD does this. Don’t think that its just Bermuda.
Oh shut up. You aren’t special. Follow the rules like everyone else. They ask the same of us.
“Meanwhile poor locals suffer the wait at customs”
poor locals? Returning from a shopping trip? aww, so poor.
“The officer stressed that the government recently implemented that every tourist present a return ticket we have never had to present tickets before.”
You want s**** treatment by a barely educated customs officer?…try entering the US.
That was an immigration rule years ago. I remember from when I worked in a hotel. Maybe they relaxed it, but it’s not new.
It’s a dumb rule and only a idiot would bring it back into play with all the people flying into the island…… Bermuda is so far behind the eight ball because of fools in charge. Call the election.
I have to wonder who thinks of these things , cuz after a trip on a packed plane , getting smacked in the face from the heat off the tarmac , there is nothing I would want to do more than sit outside of arrivals sweating my rear off and enjoy a nice glass of dark and stormy , all the while inhaling jet fuel and rank diesel from a never ending flow of taxi’s . I am sorry this could of been better thought out .
Bunch of whiners. If you won the lottery you’d be complaining it wasn’t enough!
Damn skippy.
Onion Juice – you already hit the lottery for 800 mil
what constitutes a vip?
“The lounge will allow dignitaries to relax after their flight while they wait for their transportation”
A quickly put together lounge.
You cannot be serious….Is this the brainchild of the BTA again?
Dignitaries waiting for their transportation????
It had better be there waiting for them! If they are any good that is.
Nothing against Gosling’s Black Seal, but is this all we have to offer as an island?
You get off your flight and are offered Black Seal and ginger beer.
Go into Hamilton and go to the Gosling’s container bar by the ferry terminal.
Go up to Ireland Island and go to the VIP lounge at $1500 a ticket and get Black Seal and ginger beer.
BTA, try to come up with some creative ideas….please????
We are all on display, and part of this.
Really!!
If I am really a travelling VIP, I will not be waiting at the airport for transportation.
It will be prearranged and waiting for me.
we as Bermudians ,the only way we can take back our home is to find a way back in the workplace for the same pay as the import’s. then there would be no need for them,if we could go back to when you help me i can help you, take it from me you don’t know what you can do without until you have to, we are giving up on our self.
I hope you don’t really believe this nonsense.
Patio furniture on the patio.
Two Bermudas, OBA are making sure their friends are taking care off.
A segment of Bermudians are really looking to destroy the land that they claim to be theirs…like someone just said “poor bermudians” y’all just took and spent your money in their country now theyre bringing theirs to ours…and you’re b!T@#IN and moanin’about a hospitality ploy… wtf is the problem..? I’m just waiting to see that y’all get what y’all are asking for…
All I get as a local is a white glove and a bad attitude smfh!
Wow so much hate.
First good for Skyport for thinking outside the box with visitors, VIP or not.
Second I would like a free drink on my return from shopping, the hospital abroad, paying respected to deceased family and friends, for all the reason I leave and return. It would be nice to have a going and coming free cocktail. If Skyport did that the next 30 years would be a pleasure doing business with you.
No more weather delays, PLEASE. I’ve had enough already and can’t wait for to be all over and they clear out
this is honestly the stupidest idea EVER.
And what about on their way out? VIP area to wait for your plane? Hope they have to buy the same crappy sandwiches I do. And, hopefully it wont rain while they are in the airport drip drip drip