Nothing was off limits for tourism leaders as they put their heads together to come up with “an execution plan” to secure the future of tourism in Bermuda.About 30 tourism chiefs thrashed out “every idea, large and small” at the weekend’s two-day tourism retreat at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel.The top talking points were introducing gambling, changing real estate laws, attracting big-money financing and improving public transport.The mass brainstorming session will now form the basis of a long-term master plan to guide Bermuda’s tourism. It is hoped that this much-anticipated tourism blueprint will be drawn up by October.It was seen as a “make or break” debate for the tourism industry with representatives from hotels, the Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Tourism happy to discuss “just about every idea thinkable.”They are now hoping their ideas will “shake things up a bit” in order to give modern-day tourists exactly what they want.One key tourism figure said: “It was a very, very productive meeting where all the right things were said.“We left no stone unturned, we discussed everything there was to discuss. There wasn’t anything that wasn’t put on the table.“Then, later in the year, it will be execution time and we will have to put things into place. We so need to do this and do it soon.”Another tourism chief, who was also at the meeting, said: “These are uncertain times so we know we have to do what we have to do and we have got to get this right.“That’s what the weekend was about. We addressed absolutely everything that involves tourism.”The debate was organised by the Bermuda Tourism Board, which has already hosted a series of meetings with the Department of Tourism, hoteliers and businesses. The moderator was US public relations guru Peter Yesawich who helped to explain what visitors wanted and what their priorities were.The controversial issue of introducing casino gambling to the Island was once again “thrown into the mix.” It was said that gambling would bring in tourists, create jobs and generate millions of dollars.It was argued that Bermuda should keep up with its competition as gambling is legal in other countries and on cruise ships. This issue was discussed even though MPs rejected a Green Paper on gaming tabled by then Premier Dr Ewart Brown in May last year.Another hot topic was the need to change the country’s real estate policy by scrapping purchase tax. It was said that waiving the tax would “really turn the engine on” as people did not want to hand over a percentage of cash to Government.Ways to woo foreign investment to Bermuda were also discussed. It was said that if someone invests $10 million into the economy then they should be “welcomed with open arms.” This could mean the investor gets a Bermuda passport, but not voting rights. Tourism chiefs believe this would send out the “we want you and this is what we will give you” message.The on-going debate about public transport timetable cuts affecting travel for tourists and locals was also discussed at length. It was said that the bus and ferry timetable needed to serve both tourists and locals.Former Mayor of St George’s, E Michael Jones, who was not at the weekend retreat, said: “It went very well and lots of people are talking about what was said.“Everyone has now got a lot to think about when it comes to moving forward. It will take a lot of will and effort to get over our challenges, but I’m sure we can all work together to do it.”Tourism Minister Patrice Minors and Malcolm Butterfield, chairman of the Tourism Board, did not respond to our requests for comment.