Chamber Praises Minister For Hospitality Summit
The Bermuda Chamber of Commerce commended Minister of Economy and Labour Jason Hayward following what it described as a productive Hospitality Summit that brought together Government, labour unions and stakeholders from Bermuda’s hotel and restaurant sectors to address workforce challenges.
A spokesperson said, “The Hospitality Summit hosted by the Ministry of Labour, through the Department of Workforce Development [DWD] marked an important and constructive step in uniting stakeholders from Bermuda’s hotel and restaurant sectors, alongside representatives from Government and labour unions.
“Jennifer Woods, Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, and Marico Thomas, Chairman of the Chamber’s Board, were invited to deliver a joint presentation with fellow industry stakeholders. Their remarks focused on sector-wide hospitality trends, including recruitment, retention, skills development, the broader workforce outlook, and the shared challenges facing both hotels and restaurants-supported by data drawn directly from Chamber membership. Valued Chamber Member representatives Philip Barnett, President of the Island Restaurant Group Ltd. and Teresa Chatfield, Owner/ Director of the MEF Bermuda shared timely industry perspectives.
“The purpose of the Summit was clear: to convene a broad cross-section of voices around a common objective-addressing current employment pressures and industry requirements so Bermuda is better positioned to serve both residents and visitors effectively.
“The timing of this dialogue is significant. With the anticipated reopening of the Fairmont Southampton, combined with ongoing strain on the local workforce, it is evident that thoughtful, forward-looking workforce strategies must be considered to meet demand responsibly and sustainably.
“What distinguished this session was the willingness of participants to engage candidly and respectfully. Bringing industry, Government, and labour representatives together in the same room fostered transparency, allowed concerns to be properly acknowledged, and moved the discussion beyond isolated debate toward practical consideration of solutions.
“Minister Jason Hayward is to be commended for convening a productive forum centered on collaboration and tangible outcomes. The Chamber remains committed to working in partnership with the Ministry to ensure labour policies reflect present-day realities while strengthening long-term opportunities for Bermudians within the hospitality sector.”
More talk.
Anyone else remember the Competitiveness Commission, where hundreds of people gave thousands of hours of time for a very comprehensive investigation on why Bermuda was losing visitors?
Anyone else remember the Monitor Report a few years later. This one headed by a Boston group with a record of successes in places that followed their recommendations. Another exercise in people giving time with a lovely report produced at the end which promptly went into Government’s storage cave with nothing to show for the time and expense.
These were not one day get togethers of a few people sitting around and then having lunch. These were in depth exercises putting people together who normally would not even talk to each other.
All we ever get is talk. Month after month, year after year, decade after decade. Talk.
1. Commendation on highlighting the reports. You are right. The work has been done over and over but we have more than just talk!!!! After talking, they act by putting the reports on the clothes line but today clothes lines are redundant so they toss them in the trash bin because the shelves are filled with similar reports. So at the end of the day its just an exercise that is putting us to sleep because we don’t vote them out. We keep voting them in and and get surprised when we keep getting the new national game called “write it and…..let’s shout together “TOSS IT.” AMEN.LONG LIVE THE king.