Charles Webbe, manager of public relations with the Bermuda Department of Tourism, speaks with the voice of experience about his role in tourism. His career has spanned over three decades.

His job responsibilities include a focus on Bermuda's public relation efforts in Bermuda, Canada, UK and Europe and our close neighbour, the US.

He communicates with overseas officers and assists the media when they arrive in Bermuda.

If you are trying to locate him in a crowd look for the best-dressed gentleman around with impeccable manners and a confident attitude.

When he was jokingly asked if he has a personal tailor he responded with a broad smile: "I have two. The Italian tailor designs my cuts and the Canadian tailor copies them and actually makes the suits.'' Mr. Webbe has been with the Department of Tourism for 31 years.

He joined the department in 1969 as a senior feature writer on the Trade Development Board and moved into sales and community affairs and later public relations. "I enjoy what I am doing now best of all. I have a wonderful rapport with people in the press. One of my biggest challenges is creating satisfaction among writers. The heart of my work is presenting Bermuda in her best light,'' he said.

Mr. Webbe was asked to share his opinion about the evolution of tourism over the past three decades and to define where we are now.

"It is my personal feeling that Bermuda tourism has changed over the years as a result of competition. In the old days we did briefing tours and made contacts with influential players and we obtained the lion's share of tourists before airline deregulation, frequent flyer miles and new destinations.

"Bermuda was very exclusive, so much so that the architects of tourism in the early days lobbied to offer only first class seats on Pan Am planes to `ensure the right type of visitors' if you can imagine.

"We have no control over the airfares today and we face the dilemma daily.'' He feels that now we are competing with so many destinations for the tourist dollars. Some of them are right in the US, our major catchment area. "It is a fact that we have fewer beds than in 1981, fewer night life attractions and fewer people who are committed to the industry. In spite of it all, Bermuda continues as a viable destination,'' he said.

Mr. Webbe believes in tourism ideals and says Bermuda has achieved ideals in the past, does presently and with effort, will continue to do so in the future.

"The average visitor comes to our Island for rest, recreation, and enjoyment.

If we can continue to provide what they want, I don't see major problems. It's about making people happy. It's not rocket science! Treat visitors like you would someone in your home,'' he said.

When Mr. Webbe comes into contact with tourists the top five questions he is usually asked are: 1. "Where can I find local food? 2. "Where can I meet Bermudi ans? 3. "Is it safe in Bermuda? 4. "Where do you get your drinking water? 5. "How can I live here? Mr. Webbe concluded with the following thought: "We in public relations would not do our jobs well without the assistance and the contributions made by people in our hotels, restaurants and other service areas.

"These dedicated people help us to convey the image that writers want to write about.'' Mr. Webbe is an associate member of the Society of American Travel Writers.

He is a man of many talents and prior to his career in tourism he was a writer and reporter at the Bermuda Recorder as a young teenager.

He has been employed by the Mid-Ocean News and The Royal Gazette and the Oxford Mail in England. Additionally, he was a broadcast journalist with ZBM.

Charles webbe, manager of public relations, with The Bermuda Department of Tourism.

TOURISM TOU