Tourism is not a sinking ship, said Tourism Minister Ewart Brown - it is a ladder of opportunity for young Bermudians who are interested in reaching the top.

In January, Dr. Brown plans to present those opportunities to Bermudians in a National Tourism Plan, the first public tourism awareness campaign. Dr. Brown responded at a Press conference yesterday to the fierce parting shot delivered by outgoing director of Coco Reef Resort Andrea Jennings, who stated tourism on the Island was dead.

Ms Jennings arrived in Bermuda in 2003 when hotelier John Jefferis took over the old Stonington Beach Hotel lease, renaming the resort Coco Reef.

Although he disagreed with Ms Jennings' opinions, Dr. Brown felt she made some good points.

He admitted the industry was in poor health and facing challenges. But it was not in the “intensive care unit”.

“Tourism has been referred to in negative terms over the past two years but there are signs of improvement. They are not huge signs, but to say it is a sinking ship is a bit over the top.”

Dr. Brown said he looked forward to meeting Ms Jennings before she left the Island.

“It's like most things, it has its challenges undoubtedly so,” said Dr. Brown. “Do some of our people confuse service with servitude, absolutely, but we're going to turn this around. We're going to engage Bermudians in the debate.

“I think this headline will help us engage people. Bermudians should be impressed that someone has come out and said something about us as a hospitality community.

“We need to just get in there before we get defensive and fix these problems, many of the problems we have in tourism start with us.”