Residents remain passionate about tourism despite the industry’s decline, the author of a popular travel guide believes.Rosemary Jones has just released the third edition of ‘Moon Handbooks Bermuda’.Previous editions have sold about 11,000 copies.“To write the book I had to go out into the community and research what was there for tourists,” Ms Jones said. “That has made me increasingly aware of how dedicated people are who are working in tourism here. Every time I update one of the editions I am always struck by that and the positive attitude towards visitors.”The Moon Handbooks series has more than 300 different titles. It is published by Avalon Travel the largest independent travel publisher in the United States. Ms Jones was approached to write the first guide in 2006. The second edition was released in 2009.The 360-page travel guide is packed with photographs, tips and resources, special sections on golf, weddings, the Railway Trail, and travelling with children. There are also parish-by-parish descriptions of the Island’s best sights, attractions, restaurants and shopping.The latest guide includes updated information, and all new images shot by Ms Jones.“The only picture that wasn’t mine was the cover,” she said. “Moon always hires a professional photographer to shoot its covers.”Ms Jones said she has received lots of positive feedback on her previous guides - from visitors and locals.“People here who had friends or guests staying, have said they found it extremely useful to give it to family or friends,” she said. “I also get e-mails from people who bought the books and used it and enjoyed the details.”One of the advantages of the guide is that it is entirely Bermuda-produced with Bermudian context added to articles and insider advice. Ms Jones said she was given the freedom to be as truthful and honest as possible.“As a traveller you want to understand the place and the context,” she said. “It wasn’t just a public relations exercise. I wanted to give a true sense of what life is like in Bermuda, and the challenges that we as Bermudians face. As a local who has spent most of my life here, I can offer detail and context to help tourists understand what they see and experience, as well as behind-the-scenes, insider tips — about lesser-known eateries, for example, or a hidden beach or must-see boutique — that other guidebooks just can’t provide. The result, I hope, is a publication that’s truly useful and gives a real sense of what Bermuda is all about.”The guide does make mention of the fact that gun crime is a new and unpleasant phenomenon in Bermuda. It also recommends a visit to Magistrates’ Court to get a taste for Bermuda’s legal system as many Americans are fascinated by the British system of law.The travel guide is available at the Bermuda Bookstore on Queen Street, in North American bookstores including Barnes & Noble, Borders and Indigo Books, and also on popular e-readers such as Nook and Kindle.Useful website: www.moon.com.