Video: Minister Wayne Furbert On Statistics

May 2, 2019

[Updated] Marking his first press conference since being appointed to the position last month, Minister for the Cabinet Office Wayne Furbert is holding a press conference this afternoon [May 2] to provide an update on the 2018 statistics results. We will have additional coverage later on and in the meantime the live video is below.

Update: The live broadcast has concluded and the 5-minute replay is below

Update 2.44pm: Minister Furbert said, “Today I am pleased to highlight some good economic news for Bermuda. Our 4th Quarter 2018 Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics indicate that our economy has experienced some positive growth.

“Here are a few of the year-over-year highlights:

  • Employment income increased 3.2% or $25.5 million.
  • Estimated total expenditure by air visitors was $83.7 million which was 5.0% higher.
  • Total estimated expenditure for cruise passengers more than tripled from $7.0 million to $23.9 million.
  • The level of employment in the hotel industry increased by 94 employees, representing 48 Bermudians and 46 non-Bermudians
  • Hotel gross receipts increased 0.5 % or $0.3 million.
  • Overseas declarations by residents decreased 2.2 % to $18.4 million.

“Overall, our Fourth Quarter 2018 Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics indicate that we are making economic progress. These results are a tangible demonstration that this Government’s socio-economic policies are bearing fruit, and this is good news for Bermuda.”

The full Fourth Quarter 2018 Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics follow below [PDF here]

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Comments (16)

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  1. jake says:

    is he gonna sing?

  2. DeOnion says:

    Great economic progress?! a few pluses in tourism and cherry picking stats?

  3. Joe Bloggs says:

    Interesting, the Minister says that there are 94 new jobs in the hospitality industry (48 locals and 46 foreigners). What about job gains/losses in the IB sector? What about the construction sector? What about the public sector? What about the professional services sector?

    The Minister says clearly (3 minutes in) “No, we are not in a recession”. He obviously has information that I have not seen.

  4. red rose says:

    OK, so why isn’t this report on the government website for all of us to see?

  5. trump supporter says:

    flip flop even flip flopping on his stats

  6. 2 Bermudas says:

    In other news health insurance is rising, BNTB have let go over 40 people, prison officers haven’t had a raise in a decade and gov’t is now charging people who use their credit cards. Pee El Pee campaigned on decreasing the cost of living? When should we expect that to happen?!?!?!

  7. sandgrownan says:

    This means the PLP’s socio-economic policies are bearing fruit? Really Wayne?

    Estimated total expenditure by air visitors was $83.7 million which was 5.0% higher.
    Total estimated expenditure for cruise passengers more than tripled from $7.0 million to $23.9 million.
    The level of employment in the hotel industry increased by 94 employees, representing 48 Bermudians and 46 non-Bermudians
    Hotel gross receipts increased 0.5 % or $0.3 million.

    Doesn’t this really mean that the much derided OBA inspired BTA is actually bearing fruit? The hate the BTA suffered at the hands of the PLP isn’t forgotten and you now want to take the credit.

    Go sit down Wayne – this has nothing to do with the PLP.

  8. dick francis says:

    A lot of this is down to the OBA creation of the BTA as well as the ongoing benefits of the hotels being built, not to mention the airport.
    What is the PLP’s plan once those construction projects have finished?

  9. Onion says:

    PLP taking credit for the OBA’s creation of the Tourism authority.

  10. 2 Bermudas says:

    I see most of the growth is coming from tourism. Where is loud mouth Zane Desilva now?!?! Has he finished checking under de hood?!?! They should be thanking Bill Hanbury who laid the foundations for the BTA!!

  11. inna says:

    Does anyone actually believe any of this??

    How can a statistic be estimated Furby: “Total estimated expenditure for cruise passengers…”?

    The joke is on everyone who votes these clowns in!!!

  12. David says:

    “These results are a tangible demonstration that this Government’s socio-economic policies are bearing fruit…”

    The majority of the good news, at least the bullet points from the Minister himself, are centered around tourism. And that’s thanks to the BTA. What was “this” government’s position on the BTA again? ;)

    • Eve says:

      Please note the increases in visitor spending are only ESTIMATES tabulated from exit surveys and other guesstimates by BTA. The “hotel gross receipts” increase of only 0.05% raises the question; are BTA efforts putting warm bodies in hotel beds or cruise ship beds?

  13. Question says:

    So the number of cruise passengers went up by 5% and yet he says: “Total estimated expenditure for cruise passengers more than tripled from $7.0 million to $23.9 million.”
    Why would a 5% increase in people lead to estimated expenditure almost quadrupling? It’s just utter BS. Asinine crap.

  14. Ringmaster says:

    Wayne you add nothing except unnecessary costs and hot air. You might be believed by some, but you are a joke to the majority. If only there was a right of recall available.

  15. Andrew Outerbridge says:

    The only thing is…all of these positive indicators are due to OBA initiatives!!!