OBA’s Scott: ‘Kevin Has Done A Wonderful Job’
“I am saddened and extremely disappointed to hear of the resignation of Kevin Dallas from the BTA,” Shadow Minister for Tourism, Transport and Regulatory Affairs Leah Scott said, adding that “Kevin has done a wonderful job firmly affixing Bermuda as a premier tourist destination.”
This follows after it was announced earlier today that Kevin Dallas is stepping down from the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA], effective this Friday, to “pursue opportunities in the private sector.”
Ms Scott — who is also the OBA Deputy Leader – said: “I am saddened and extremely disappointed to hear of the resignation of Kevin Dallas from the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA]. It is my view, that Kevin has done a wonderful job firmly affixing Bermuda as a premier tourist destination.
“Kevin was named a 2018 Travel Vanguard by AFAR magazine, and highlighted as being only one of the nine individuals ‘harnessing the power of travel to make a difference in the world.’ Under Kevin’s leadership, Bermuda broke previous on island visitor records, resulting in increased on-island spending.
“It is of note that in a session in the House of Assembly in November 2019, MP Scott Simmons made a reference to dismantling the BTA. In that same session, Minister Zane DeSilva stated, that while former Finance Minister Bob Richards might have only been ‘looking under the hood,’ he is planning to not only just look under the hood of the BTA, but ‘he is going to tear the car apart’.
“Well, the car is up on blocks and the wheels have been taken off. Let’s see how far the BTA rolls now.
“I have stated previously that, in my opinion, interference with the administration of the BTA will counteract economic and social enhancement.
“Just look at what happened when the then Minister of Tourism, Jamahl Simmons, spearheaded the legislation that compromised the independence of the Casino Gaming Commission. We now have a behemoth that we, the taxpayers, continue to fund [to the tune of millions of dollars], while the chance of a qualified Executive Director being hired or of having gaming proceeds administered by any banking institution is slim to none.
“The model of a tourism department, being used as an extension of the whims and desires of the minister of the day, failed in years gone by. It is for this very reason that the BTA was established as independent body.
“Let those who have the skills and expertise in the area of tourism, do what they do. Kevin Dallas did it well and Bermuda has the statistics and the revenue to prove it.
“Thank you for doing an excellent job for Bermuda Kevin. You are appreciated,” Ms Scott concluded.
The BTA, the RA, the BHeC, the BDA – what else is the PLP going to interfere with?
OBA created lucrative contracts that were questionable, they say BTA is independent but we the People give them $25Million a year and pay the CEO $1000 a day, a contract like the airport were we are on the hook for $30Million a year for 30 years and the Morgans Point contract were we shelled out $175Million.
F@#$ing PATHETIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Onion juice… Explain to me how is the airport deal different than the deal that the PLP made with the Bermuda hospital? Also explain to me how the PLP would have financed the new airport their way. and you can see there was no need for a new airport because the PLP had announced that they were going to build one before they lost the previous election and it was going to cost more.
If $1,000 a day for a job bothers you why is it where you not offended by the gift of 1.2 million dollars to the form of premier for doing no work at all.?
Onion juice… How come you’re not bothered by 800 million being unaccounted for. How come you’re not offended by globalhue Jetgate, tourism beyoncé concerts 20/20 cricket. T Street, Port Royal GC. The pier in dockyard, The Barclay institute / Proactive contract? B i u being let off the hook for 20 million dollar s, and the billions that the POP put is in Ted 4 originally? I can only think of one reason why you are not offended by those things? Hmmmmmmm wha might that be? I’ll leave that for you to answer.
You forgot the gaming commission and the imminent takeover of the Corporations.
We will only know Kevin’s true value in time to come. This was exactly why the OBA wanted the BTA to be non political but the plp only know one way to operate they want control of everything .. to date they have attempted to take over the Corporation of Hamilton , the Corporation of St. George’s now the BTA …just imagine 20 years ago this government was pumping 60+ million on the Dept of Tourism now the BTA gets 22 million with as good or better results …and Zane shouts he isn’t happy …wow ..the plp have secured our future its pretty bleak and the flock will probably vote them in again …
OBA are morons if they think the guy with no socks is the best thing that ever happened to Tourism in Bermuda! Give me a break! Time to promote Bermuda more effectively in USA and in markets that KD never saw value in!
You mean like the “Platinum Period” of Tourism? How did that work out? I can help you….it didn’t, at all.
Really? You chose to comment on his choice not to wear socks?
Yea, your name suits you well. Moron.
The narative is, ubp/OBA are the only ones to make sound and accurate decisions for the betterment of Bermuda.
It comes with social privilege.
At least the morons got it right! Good riddance to the sockless tourism guy!
Yeah.. yah so right. I didn’t like his jacket he was wearing the other day.
So Morons…if you don’t think he did a great job and his figures have gone up each year, we recorded the best numbers EVER tell us what do you think of the work done by others before him?
Let’s Compare.
faith Based Tourism
Diaspora Tourism
Beyonce Concert
20/20 Cricket
Globalhue Contract
We await your reply and thoughts on the individual that brought you these crowd drawing ideas NOT
Pushed by the PLP because he said publicly what we all know.
The Government’s stance on same sex marriage is abhorrent, has no place in 2020 and the rest of the world knows it. And chooses to vacation elsewhere.
Zane? What say you?