Gaming should be legalised and a casino opened in Hamilton within two years, according to the Tourism Board.This is one of a whole raft of wide-ranging recommendations included in a newly released report, which addresses the key issues needed to make sure Bermuda “transcends seasonality and extends a 365 day visitor welcome”.The report states that although gaming has always been a controversial issue, the Board cannot ignore that many hoteliers have said that it would boost tourism.The report, which was tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday, is said to lay the foundations for the long-awaited National Tourism Plan.It states that additional jobs and revenue had to be weighed against “the disintegration of the Island’s social fabric” such as gambling addictions.The report states: “Gaming can provide the Island’s business and the leisure traveller with another recreational option during their stay.“The Board is of the view that gaming should be allowed in Bermuda.”The Board goes on to say that they would like to see one casino open in a central location such as Hamilton and for revenue to be ploughed back into tourism.Gaming is listed as a priority “within two years” and the Board notes they will now need to try to obtain Cabinet agreement and table the legislation in the House.As well as gaming, the Tourism Board lists transportation, marketing, new hotel developments, on-Island communications, a tourism authority, cruise ships, service standards, airlift, and Bermudian culture and heritage as “hot button” recommendations.Members of the Tourism Board have taken a year to produce the Strategic Imperatives Report titled ‘Establishing the foundation for the National Tourism Plan’.They say they want to ensure “Bermuda is the place to be” as tourism is critical to the Island’s “continuing and long-term success”.The report states that Bermuda needs to establish a Tourism Authority within two years to “have responsibility for overseeing the development and operation of the tourism industry”. In the short-term, the Tourism Board will be given statutory provisions.They add that the challenge will be the involvement of Government as the Authority will require both government support and funding.The report states that transportation is the “core ingredient of the guest experience” and improvements need to be made to improve Bermuda’s attractiveness as a destination. The Board agree that “transportation is so much more than a ride”.They recognise that public transport needs to “improve its schedule” and “consider a better evening service” as cruise ship passengers have been left stranded in Dockyard.The Board is to recommend the introduction of water taxis, as well as the staggered arrival and departure times of cruise ships and a direct bus route from St. George’s to Dockyard.The Board also highlights that a visitor survey shows there’s a huge interest in extending rental provisions beyond scooters.Marketing is seen as an immediate concern, with the report stating that Bermuda needs a “timeless and iconic” brand that targets its target traveller someone who is affluent, aged 35-55, educated and has a household income of more than $150,000.It also says that Bermudians need to feel connected to and supportive of the campaign message, which aims to give visitors the “wow factor”. The report states that sales teams and journalists visiting Bermuda need to be given such a great time that it will “blow their minds” and they will be sent home “with stars in their eyes”.The report touches on Bermuda’s 13 active new hotel developments saying Bermuda’s 2,612 hotel rooms could increase to 3,915 rooms. But the Board makes it clear that: “the probability of any of these projects materialising is difficult to determine”.The Board does, however, recommend that a New Development Office is established to try to secure new development and a Cabinet task force is set up in the next 12 months to determine what it will take to complete the current projects.The on-Island communications recommendations point the finger at Bermudians who seem “disconnected and disinterested” in helping visitors enjoy their stay. The report states: “There is widespread apathy towards tourism from the general public, particularly from those people who are not directly involved in the industry.”To try to tackle this, the Board wants Bermudians and guest workers to “recognise and appreciate” the importance of the tourism industry. They recommend a Proud to be Bermudian campaign, improved signs so visitors don’t get lost and “more transparent and easy communication” between the Bermuda Department of Tourism and the media.The report also recognises that service standards need to be improved to reposition Bermuda as a premier destination, but it states: “This will take time”.The Board recommends that a new training facility is set up at Bermuda College so employees know about service expectations, the Blue Flag programme is restarted and made mandatory for all taxi-drivers and a hospitality code of practice is established.With regards to cruise ships, the report states that smaller ships need to dock in Hamilton and St George’s on a weekly basis but a cap of 350,000 cruise ship arrivals must be established by 2013.The Board also wants to consider using marinas to attract the long-term stay of small luxury motor yachts during the winter months.The Board recommends that Bermuda maintains air passengers at the present level and encourages local entertainers to “showcase the diversity of our people, our talents, and our history”.