Weddings could be a boon
Bermuda.
The Island should be promoted as a wedding venue as part of the Island's cultural tourism, according to the Commission on Competitiveness task force which they could be a major boost to revenue.
And it wants the Ministry of Tourism to push the culture and art of Bermuda to attract more visitors.
"Push the advertising of Bermuda as a marriage destination, that is, as a special place to hold a wedding. Tourism already has this packaged and a few private agencies currently arrange weddings for persons from abroad.
"This could be developed further through full scale advertising, a linkage with hotels to offer, perhaps, special rates and churches and Registrar to provide pertinent information about traditional Bermuda weddings and available churches.'' It adds that the Island is already well advertised as a honeymoon destination and that should be extended.
Honeymoons are decreasing and the Commission said: "It is no longer a must to honeymoon in Bermuda simply because the mother and grandmother honeymooned in Bermuda. Again the Department of Tourism has to take the lead and organise an islandwide umbrella to recognise honeymooners.
"Possibly a cocktail party at different hotels, a reception by the Premier or Minister of Tourism at Government House, or moonlight cruises just for honeymooers.'' The task force, chaired by Ms Ruth Thomas, also encourages more visits to churches and graveyards for visitors.
Moving on to the arts, the task force suggested a festival of arts built around artists who have lived or frequently visited the Island.
It said: "Some such persons as Van Wyck Mason, John Vickers, Eugene O'Neill, Noel Coward, Mark Twain, William Stevenson, Andrew Wyeth...
"This would combine the performing and the visual arts and master classes.
Masterworks has already drawn public attention to several painters who visited and painted here. Their effort also appeals to tourists.'' Cultural exchanges could occur with residents sharing their homes with visitors for a night, so visitors get an idea how Bermudians live.