August 28, 2011Dear Sir,Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share my thoughts in the Daily.We are facing many challenges in our little island community, one of which is a lack of a strong tourism industry, and I believe it is because we are no longer keeping with the times.One of the biggest issues we are having with our tourism model, is that we have not moved with the rest of the world. Tourism is a business, and when a business does not provide a variety of quality products and services at a competitive price, combined with market research, it will not survive.One of the reasons why our tourism was booming “back in the day”, was simply because it was convenient for our visitors, due to our being close to the East Coast of the US and Canada. Then with the advent of jet era, and traveling on commercial airlines becoming more accessible to the average person and family, then of course, let us not forget the all inclusive resorts of the Caribbean, and now what Las Vegas has to offer, we are not even being considered as an affordable destination, and if we are, we are not even short-listed.We have much to think about and plan, yes, but first we must be realistic about one thing amongst many, we are but a little island in a big ocean, that is a part of a vast world, and that that world does not revolve around Bermuda.So, in essence we must not carry on with business as usual, because, “the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result”.This includes the hiring of “experts” to tell us how to sell Bermuda. The last time I checked the definition of an expert is “A person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subject”. For the purpose of my point I will address knowledge of subject. We the people of Bermuda are the most knowledgeable in regards to the product that is on offer. So it is sufficient to say that we are the experts that need to be consulted. Therefore it is my hope that all people and entities invloved in finding solutions to the challenges we are facing with tourism.Let us work together to assess where were, are, and want to be as a tourist destination, then figure out the best way to get there, and work towards it as a nation in unity. Peace.ANTOINE BEANSouthampton