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BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

High prices are killing tourism

With Trimingham Brothers gone, visitors have fewer reasons to shop in Bermuda.

October 8, 2012Dear Sir,Bermuda has nothing to offer visitors (no theme parks like DisneyWorld, Disneyland or Six Flags and yes, I know Bermuda’s small but, that’s besides the point. We don’t really have many other attractions that aren’t as big either). Although we have a new Mall, we have old staff meaning, unlike overseas where there’s bound to be parents working in those malls, ours have this: “I only work from 9-5.” Malls overseas normally go up to 10pm at times.Tourists don’t want to hear that a Mall is closing at 5pm as,they’re looking for entertainment.Yes, Bermuda has nightclubs but, they also lack security. St George’s and St David’s are without a police station and although tourists would have the privilege, to shop there,w hat’s stopping them from getting robbed? That’s a detrerent, big time! If that’s not bad enough, we have a Harbour Nights which is cool but it’s only for the summer months (if tourists came here in the winter months, we have nothing to offer them).Want to know what’s worse? If most tourists hail from the United States, wouldn’t it make sense to sell something they’re not used to seeing to, get their attention? Now Trimingham’s, Archie Brown and Smith’s no longer exist so what’s to attract anybody? English Sports Shop? Maybe, but what if tourists aren’t looking for Fairisle Cardigans (like what Archie Brown & Son used to sell long ago), then what? What if they’re looking for something up-to-date and that store doesn’t sell it, then what? Good thing tourists aren’t interested in schoolwear (Charles Kirk and no other brand for sweaters?). Gibbons Company might hook up tourists more but at what price? (Most things in Bermuda are expensive).Calypso is expensive and so are many other places along Front Street (not looking good from what I see these days).Now you think on adding a casino? Have you lost your minds? The problem isn’t a missing casino, it’s the high prices most stores in Bermuda charge that’s downing the tourist industry. This is what’s hurting us and no matter if you vote for the PLP orOBA, that problem won’t get resolved.There will still be greedy people on the Island.REALITY CHECKDevonshire