ERMUDA'S Tourism industry looks to be poised for a renaissance. How do I reach this conclusion, you might ask? Well, the Bermuda Music Festival appears to be set for a bumper year ? it's supposed to draw 2000 visitors to the island and we get this number, it would be excellent. Other success indicators are he Coco Reef Resort's plans to expand, the airline strategy to increase the number of airlines servicing Bermuda; the Tucker's Point hotel finally coming on board in 2008; the Youth Tourism Minister initiative; 9 Beaches earning recognition in Coastal Living, an upscale publication; and Letroy Walker, a Bermudian, being appointed as Director of Food and Beverage at Bermuda's flagship resort, the Fairmont Southampton.

We'll look into this matter in more detail after we visit the Top 20.

Still at number one is from the reigning Queen and King of Hip Hop, Beyonce and her rapper/producer beau Jay-Z. You gotta check out this hit because it kicks big time.

Improving to number two is the new one from Janet (Jackson) & Nelly, entitled. Janet looks hot, trim and toned these days and I'm rally happy to see her back in the spotlight with a hot track.

Tumbling to number three is Sean Paul featuring Keyshia Cole, with , a hot dancehall/hip hop combinations.

Up to number four is by Young Dro featuring T.I. Falling like a shooting star to number five is by Ne-Yo, one of the hottest new male vocalists in the business.

Now some new tracks. Up to number six is by Chingy featuring Tyrese. Up to number seven is by Lyfe Jennings. Soaring to number eight isby Young Joc featuring Brandy. And climbing to number nine is , from Ludacris and Pharrell.

Slipping all the way to number 10 is Nelly Furtado and Timbaland, with their hit single . Slipping slowly to number 11 is by Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean.

Down to the number 12 spot is by the new cutie Cassie. Improving to number 13 is last week's essential new joint, , by Justin Timberlake. This track is banging. This joint really fills up a dancefloor.

Slipping to number 14 is by Destra, which has loads of energy and is good for any party. Tumbling to number 15 is , a soca anthem by Shurwayne Winchester. Tumbling to number16 isby Explainer, which tells a very funny story: do pay close attention to the lyrics, folks.

Slipping to number 17 is by Machel Montano featuring Patrice Roberts. Jumping to number 18 is Beyonce with her new hit . Falling to number 19 is by Allison Hinds featuring Machelle Montano. And down to number 20 is by Letoya.

Now back to this week's word - the bright future of Bermuda's Tourism industry.

There have been many successes in the industry this year and all of these new developments bode well for the future. However, clearly, the arrival of Jet Blue has to go down as the biggest success. The credit for this goes directly to our Deputy Premier, Minister of Tourism and Transport, Dr. Ewart F. Brown who, contrary to what the Limey in Bermuda website suggests, is needed in Bermuda.

I went to the Limey's website this week and found an opinion posted on something that Dr. Brown said at the recent African Diaspora Conference. The Limey's parting shot on the good Doctor was this: "This country doesn't need men like that, no matter how effective they may be. It will be a sad day for Bermuda if Dr. Brown ever becomes Premier."

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I know that Dr. Brown isn't perfect; nobody is without flaws and his tendency to sometimes shoot from the lip can be, um, both distracting and at times disconcerting. And I agree with Limey's point that Dr. Brown is the most effective politician on The Rock. However, he is not in the game to receive this kind of accolade. Dr. Brown is in this to be a doer, to get things done, period.

I strongly disagree with the statement that this country doesn't need men like Dr. Brown. The Tourism industry has floundered through Minister after Minister, under the United Bermuda Party and the Progressive Labour Party, all of whom paid lip service to the idea of improving the business and generating additional visitors.

For the first time in decades, we now have a Minister of Tourism who gets major things done.

This man sat outside the office of the CEO of Jet Blue, waited for hours and refused to leave until he met with the CEO, and many months later, the greatest coup in the recent history of Bermuda's Tourism industry was accomplished. I have worked with many Tourism Ministers and they're all great guys, but Dr. Brown is a cut above the rest. Other Ministers of Tourism presided over years of decline or during the glory days, when we failed to reinvest in our tourism product and arrogantly thought, "They'll always come". And some people actually praised (and still praise) those Tourism Ministers!

Although there are many industry partners who deserve credit for playing a part in the surge in business this year and the tourism renaissance of which we speak, the bulk of the kudos must without question go to the captain of the tourism ship, Dr. Brown. His father would be so proud of him, but again, that's not why he does what he does.

Under Dr. Brown's leadership, Bermuda has become a more vibrant, exciting, busier, sexier and more desirable vacation destination than has been the case in years. Attracting USA3000 was part of the coup, but getting Jet Blue was the real clincher.

This development forced the legacy carriers to lower their fares to remain competitive. My memory is that other Ministers of Tourism were too busy, afraid or didn't have the testicular fortitude to even consider challenging the legacy carriers by contracting with low-cost carriers.

This is the same kind of complacency, fear and weakness that makes many people afraid of Independence. Many people think in doom and gloom terms about the prospect of sovereignty. They opine that International Businesses will leave. Some may leave, but I'm sure that if others feel that they can succeed in business and make money, they'll stay right where they are, here in Bermuda.

There have been open threats from some key players in International Businesses who say, yes, they will leave if Bermuda becomes Independent. This should concern the proponents for Independence. But it shouldn't consume them.

Sensible businesspeople will not leave if they know that they'll still be operating in a safe, lawful society that is fair and where people are punished for doing wrong, praised for doing right and where everything is cool.

Former tourism leaders thought that if Bermuda contracted with charter airlines and/or low cost carriers, the big boys would cease to service Bermuda. Nonsense! Look at them now; they not only continue to service Bermuda but do so whilst lowering their prices.

We should have called their bluff 15 years ago, but we didn't have a Minister who was willing to do it! But now we do, so we definitely do need a man like Dr. Brown, because he is effective.

In closing, I am certain that most intelligent people would rather have a politician who is effective, dynamic, inspiring, who gets things done but makes occasional mistakes; than to have someone who is politically correct, says nice things to everybody, kisses babies but does nothing meaningful whilst business declines.

Peace ...