For decades the common perception has been that Bermudians can go into the tourism industry, but cannot move up.

However, one woman has proved that adage wrong. Nelda Simons is currently regional director of human resources for the Fairmont Hotel and Resorts in Bermuda.

She overseas 900 employees on the Island and ensures operations run smoothly at two of Bermuda's highest regarded hotels.

Even her first job within the tourism industry was ground-breaking. At 29 she became the first Bermudian administrative assistant to a hotel general manager.

"I was working for a temp. agency at the time, and the Young Presidents' Organisation came to the Island," she said. "It's a club for young business leaders who are running multi-million dollar companies.

"They rented out the Southampton Princess so extra staff was needed and they brought in temps. While I was here helping out I asked about the administrative assistant position but was told I needed a foreign language by a man on the front desk.

"A few months later the position was advertised and I got it. I was the first Bermudian to be an administrative assistant to a GM. The man who told me I wasn't qualified for the position was still on the front desk when I started the job. I didn't rub his nose in it, but it was funny."

Within three years she was the assistant director of personnel at the Southampton Princess, within 11 months she was promoted to director of personnel.

However, in 1986 Ms Simons decided to take a break from human resources.

"I think where a lot of human resources people make a mistake is they become to emotionally invested," she said. "It is hard because at times you are like a counsellor, people tell you very intimate things about their lives and some of the stories you hear are really heartbreaking.

"I think I just needed a break."

Ms Simons went on to manage the Liberty and Neptune Theatres, a job she described as busy and enjoyable, before becoming the office manager of the Bermuda Industrial Union.

After more than 15 years out of the business she decided it was time to return, this time as director of human resources at the Fairmont Southampton.

Her job now is to oversee the hotel's staff and ensure things run smoothly. This can involve hiring new staff, dealing with disciplinary situations or organising who lives where in the hotel's staff accommodation.

Since 2004 she has also been tasked with overseeing the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, as regional director of human resources.

And Ms Simons said she believes more Bermudians should enter the tourism industry.

"I think it is just one of the most exciting industries to be a part of," she said. "Everything is fluid, not one day is the same.

"And there is a wide variety of jobs. We have a lot of Bermudians working in the administration side which often people don't realise. Here at the Fairmont Southampton approximately 50 percent of our management positions are filled by Bermudians."

And Ms Simons said despite the current drop in arrivals she believes things will calm down soon.

"I think it is down when compared to last year, but last year was a gang busters year," she said. "I also think, and this is just my experience, that when there is a US presidential election year people tend to travel less.

"I think they are focused on what is going to happen next and how it will impact them, having a new Democrat or new Republican in the White House.

"And with the current fiscal situation in the US obviously people are rethinking their trips. And the rising fuel price is not helping things.

"And it is not just Bermuda, our competitors are also reporting a drop in arrivals."