Congratulations to St. George's Foundation, your colleagues, donors, members and friends on the official opening of The World Heritage Centre — a wonderful, informative, historic hub for visitors to Bermuda's World Heritage Site!

I appreciate that the work of the St. George's Foundation — bringing Bermuda's history to life — is focused primarily on enlightening Bermuda's people, but you have by way of the following enhancements, added value to Bermuda's tourism "product".

For the enjoyment of our visitors, you and your Partners have:

* Created the World Heritage Centre and its surrounding area Butterfield Walkway and the NCL Plaza.

* Financed the resurfacing of several streets in St. George's with paving stones.

* Created the film "A stroll through St. George's" which is shown daily at the WHC and has already been viewed by thousands of our visitors.

* Spearheaded the commissioning of the walking map of St. George's — again used by thousands of visitors.

* Produced beautiful calendars depicting many of our fine St. George's vistas.

* Produced the (now annual) "A Somers Evening" in St. George's.

* Launched the St. George's Discount Card, offering discounted merchandise and services to shoppers at participating St. George's stores.

* Initiated and completed the restoration and fitting out of The Deliverance on Ordnance Island.

* And the current corroboration with Lucinda Spurling, to create a 20-minute version of The Lion and the Mouse, to be shown at the World Heritage Centre.

The contribution of The St. George's Foundation to our tourism industry is most commendable! I salute the benefits to our Town and Island that your charity has achieved in only ten of the 400 years we celebrate this year. As Chairman of the Tourism Board I applaud the sterling efforts of The St. George's Foundation and look forward to continuing our working relationship as we work together to build a better Bermuda.

With the recent announcement of the New St. Regis in Hamilton and the Park Hyatt next door, the New Tuckers' Point Club and the Newstead Hotel, the Centre is poised to welcome even more visitors to our Town.

To my fellow Bermudians, Island residents and Bermuda visitors, I encourage you to support The St. George's Foundation and all its efforts, fund-raising or otherwise. As you will agree, from the snippet of their work outlined above, we all benefit from the work of The St. George's Foundation — feel the love!

Wishing you every success in your future endeavours.

Sincerely,

E. Michael Jones

Chairman — Bermuda Tourism Board