August 18, 2012Dear Sir,David Allen, as Tourism Minister, had a vision and passion for Cultural Tourism. It was his vision to establish tourist links throughout the African Diaspora. He envisioned that those in the Diaspora would travel to experience places and activities that would authentically represent the stories of others in the Diaspora that represented the past and the present. In spite of the similarities there are many differences. It was a remarkable vision, not only because David Allen was white but because, in the past, Tourism ads had ignored our very existence in Bermuda. But David Allen died and so did his vision. Dr Ewart Brown, as Premier and Tourist Minister rediscovered the vision and invested in it sufficiently to gain the kind of international support that has resulted in an annual ADHT Conference ever since.Yet in Bermuda those of the African Diaspora still seem not to be certain that they have a history and cultural development to be worthy of note. But at one time we were a numerical minority, today we are a definite numerical majority. That is despite our enslavement, decades of oppression and Government policies consistently intent on bringing in those of European descent in order to minimise our presence and to undermine our economic existence. Clearly, even if we are killing each other today, we developed a culture and history which sustained us and caused us to flourish. It seems to me that alone is a reason for tourists, not only those of the African Diaspora, to be interested in the ADH Trail. With this new Tourism plan, with its five cultural zones, it seems appropriate that this cultural heritage and history be added as an integral part of the programme. It is not only unique but worthy of note.EVA N HODGSONHamilton Parish