Minister DeSilva Attends Monaco Yacht Show
Minister of Tourism and Transport Zane DeSilva and other members of the Bermuda delegation recently travelled to Monaco to attend the Monaco Yacht Show, with the Government saying the purpose of this trip was introduce the new superyacht legislation – in particular, its chartering provisions – to the superyacht fraternity.
A Government spokesperson said, “The Minister of Tourism and Transport, the Hon. Zane DeSilva recently travelled to Monte Carlo, Monaco to attend the Monaco Yacht Show.
“The purpose of this trip for the Ministry of Tourism and Transport was to introduce the new Superyacht and Other Vessels [Miscellaneous] Act 2019 – in particular, its chartering provisions – to the superyacht fraternity, which gathers every year in Monte Carlo.
“The Minister was able to lend valuable insight to the superyacht community through his participation as a speaker at the Marine Money Forum on 24 September, and co-host of the “Bermuda Breakfast” on 25 September.
“Previously, the Superyachts Act made amendments to a series of Acts to create a tourism product that makes Bermuda more attractive as a destination for yachting, and for superyachts in particular. Implementation of the Act is intended to move superyachts from vessels that attend a single event for a limited time to vessels that stay in our waters and, in that way, create a charter industry.
“The government anticipates Bermudians will benefit from the growth of the yachting industry through jobs associated with businesses that support the charters, and from fees that will go into the consolidated fund.
“The Bermuda contingent who attended the Monaco Yacht Show was comprised of the Minister of Tourism and Transport, Zane DeSilva, Andy Burrows, CEO, and Lynesha Lightbourne, Business Development Manager, both of the Bermuda Business Development Agency [BDA], Nicholas Sansom, Chief Business Development Officer, Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority [BSMA], Mark Soares, Bermuda Yacht Services and Aideen Ratteray Pryse, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Transport. Branding materials were provided by the Bermuda Tourism Authority.
“The 12th Annual Marine Money Super Yacht Finance Forum involved a series of informative panel discussions with expertise drawn from across the superyacht industry. Panel topics included “Superyachts – The Next Generation” and “Ultra-High Net Wealth Perspective”.
“Speaking on the panel “Destination Bermuda: Bermuda as a Yacht Destination, Bermuda as a Yacht Registry” gave the Ministry the chance to engage with an audience of yacht builders, managers, brokers, captains, legal advisors, financiers, and journalists – presenting an overview of Bermuda’s superyacht legislation. Minister DeSilva outlined elements of the transit, cruising and charter permits: the key application requirements, permits’ duration, applicable fees and duty-free scenarios.
“Following the Minister’s presentation, Nicholas Sansom of the BSMA was able to supply an update on the Authority’s ship and yacht registry. In particular, Mr. Sansom emphasized the expansion of the ownership eligibility, which was approved by the Legislature during the summer 2019 session. Expanding the ownership eligibility and offering different incentive packages are keys to increasing the appeal of Bermuda’s Ship Registry.
“On the following day, Wednesday, 25 September, the Ministry co-hosted with the BDA and BOAT International, a “Bermuda Breakfast” at the Monaco Yacht Club.
“The Ministry’s partnership with BOAT International focuses on raising awareness and understanding of the new superyacht legislation to a global network of brokers, owners and builders. The “Bermuda Breakfast” served as an opportunity to deliver the message that Bermuda is open for superyacht chartering directly, and personally to targeted stakeholders. This event is part of a larger campaign, which will include advertorials that will appear in the December editions of two key trade publications, ahead of the laws coming into effect in January 2020.
“Bermuda’s participation in these two events, as well as associated receptions and meetings, was very well received with keen interest expressed by those in the superyacht industry to learn more about opportunities to charter here.
“The Ministry is aware that superyacht captains have pressed for Bermuda to participate in the charter industry, and believes that Bermuda has a winning formula for success. This is a new beginning for Bermuda’s superyacht industry, and adds to the diversification of the tourism industry.”
Did he go in disguise as a rich yachtsman and do hanky panky?
Funny thing is that we went to Monaco Yacht Show and spoke about the benefits of AC35 with the hopes of attracting the same individuals that he and his government didn’t say we needed her just two years ago.
The Minister keeping up his track record of never missing a boat. Hopefully there was no hanky panky going on this time.
I thought guys were against all that
Hypocrites
It is hard to keep up with what they like and don’t like. I was surprised to find out about Zane’s intolerance of the hanky panky stuff and now attracting wealthy people is back in style?
Zane would, and does, look comfortable in Atlantic City or Vegas but Monaco is all about class and Mr Hanky Panky would look like a fish out of water in that environment.
Classy. While hundreds in Bermuda struggle to make ends meet, this guy travels the world on cruise ships, business class flights and yacht shows in the name of progress.
Don’t you see PLP supporters, this laughs hardest at you?
You little snake you are
Ok. It’s one of the more positive headlines of late. I can’t speak for anybody else but personally I would prefer a “ hanky panky detective” Premier over somebody who would falsely denigrate the media under the protection of Parliamentary privilege . I know it’s a dreadfully low bar but let’s be realistic here. What a day
Guess it takes a super large group to put on a dog & pony show for the superyacht fraternity! It will take a couple of years to recoup the cost of this sail by. If superyachts have been bypassing Bermuda for years because of the location, it will take more than a new Act to get the big spenders too change their routine.
It was probably a mystery shopping excercise to determine the absence of taxis at dockyard. Give the man a break.
Smmh complain about the folks down at “that yacht club down on front street “the then head off on taxpayers dollars to Monaco to party and hank panky smmh well they will raise our taxes some more pay for it all you could not make it up, is he dressed up like tony curtis in the movie some like it hot ?lol lol lol
“Minister of Tourism and Transport Zane DeSilva and other members of the Bermuda delegation recently travelled to Monaco to attend the Monaco Yacht Show”
No, no, no! Rich white men = bad, bad, bad!
Remember AC35!
this government is in spend mode ….wonder what will be left when it comes to pay the piper . Imagine the pain , they (plp)) fought tooth and nail against AC and through the last election professed it was a financial burden to Bermuda but seems they pulled another EBrown move ” we had to deceive you” on their supporters now all of a sudden the AC was resounding success ZD is having a blast gets the contract for Port Royal again even after the first fiasco and then a mystery cruise and now unto Monaco and you can’t make this SxxT up its right there in front you. At least he didn’t sing the national anthem at the start of the show
As beautiful as our Country is, is it really a yachting destination? Once here, where can they cruise to? St. Georges to Dockyard to Hamilton? In the Caribbean you can island hop, in the Med, you are constantly on the move to a new and exciting destination. As much as I would like it to be, I am just not sold that Bermuda will ever be a mega yacht destination. We are simply in the middle of nowhere!
C’mon guys, it’s a rich white man”s game, didn’t you know?
They never really believed the “AC is bad” or “rich yachtsmen are bad” schtick. It just played well with the base. They were just angry that they were a) incapable of pulling off such an event and b) that it was such a success. Negativity was all they had.
The PLP are liars or hypocrites. Take your pick.
Sadly, however, two years of inaction and repeated failure has been deadly for Bermuda. Yesterday’s financial results were, yet again, disastrous.
DeSilva needs to STFU.
The PLOP were anti Americas Cup and now they have finally seen the light. The OBA may not have been so bad after all.
Sounds like he is in the market for a motor yacht. I am sure that he wants to keep up with his friend
Maybe he should order some new ferries. That works wonders
I believe that he has a very good friend who might still have one. The best boat always belongs to somebody else.
Yeah that would be in your face!
What friend?
I think their called shenanigans…you know…like…when then give you caniptions….
Or when every other phrase is… (( Like…you know?)
Why, oh why, did the Minister of Tourism go to Monaco instead of the BTA?
Remember Bermuda voted to take Tourism OUT of Government and formed the Bermuda Tourism Authority therefore why was it not BTA representatives there? Something is definitely going on?????
ZANE, EWART, BURCH, they all are alike and are BAD NEWS FOR BERMUDA.
he and his party better REMEMBER their forceful vocal feelings on the AC35 and he in particular his despise of the RBYC. Never have i seen nor heard such a two faced member of parliament or for that matter a sitting semi communistic governing party
onion juice..would love your opinion in this please
Official business my butt
And you got a problem with those bies? Nicest bies you will ever meet and always generous to others so STFU yourself!