Tourism was hit hard by yesterday’s industrial action, according to Bermuda Tourism Authority and Bermuda Hotel Association.

And a continuation could cost the island dearly.

Both organisations called the work stoppages “counterproductive to the fragile economic recovery”.

“The call for a ‘withdrawal of labour’ today and this coming Monday is essentially saying: ‘shut down the country’,” read a joint statement sent out by the BTA and BHA.

“The Bermuda Tourism Authority and the Bermuda Hotel Association realise that our labour force has certain legal rights to lay down tools and express their opinions on management and labour issues. However, it appears this work stoppage is not one of those occasions.

“We see this action as counterproductive to the fragile economic recovery that is under way among retailers, restaurants, hotels and tourism attractions.”

It was noted that the BIU had previously assured that business and tourism sectors would be forewarned if any work stoppage was planned by union members. However, that didn’t happen, leaving hotels, restaurants and retailers caught off guard.

“As a courtesy, the warning would have helped businesses to better plan to accommodate our valued guests who are now on island,” the statement added. “Unfortunately, we received no forewarning from labour leadership on this matter.

“A typical visitor to our island spends on average $201 per day and this weekend Bermuda is hosting hundreds of individual visitors, several conference groups and a major golf tournament. Many will be inconvenienced by the work stoppage as they attempt to use public transit and other public services.

“These activities negatively impact upon their view of Bermuda and diminishes their local spending, directly harming an already bruised economy and the workers the unions represent.

“Furthermore, a ruined vacation, convention or golf experience is a memory they take with them and share with their friends and family, and greatly reduces the chance of their return.

“More importantly, this work stoppage and the highly adversarial political environment continually covered in the local media and on social media channels is damaging our global image. Travellers looking for a vacation destination are looking online as they consider which destination to choose.

“The negative and divisive discourse concerning our civic disagreements is a deterrent to those audiences and prospective business, investors and leisure visitors which ultimately is the determining factor as they select another destination.

“We are calling on Government and union representatives to resolve their important civic issues with more sensitivity to the impact on our tourism and hospitality industry — the one sector all parties agree is vital to the overall growth and economic recovery of Bermuda.”

Responding last night to the BTA/BHA statement, Jamahl Simmons, Shadow Minister of Tourism and Economic Development, said the Progressive Labour Party shared the tourism concerns.

“Like them, we are deeply concerned about the impact that any industrial action has on the second pillar of our economy,” Mr Simmons said. “Where we part ways, however, is in our understanding that this current and potentially ongoing action is a direct result of the OBA’s approach to immigration and a refusal to listen by Premier Dunkley. This has caused the people to take action.

“The OBA have no mandate to carry out this agenda. In fact, the OBA’s current and former leader repeatedly denied prior to the 2012 election that would grant status to thousands of non-Bermudians. This deception, failure to listen and their refusal to engage in bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform have led Bermuda to this point.

“I would encourage the BTA to lobby the OBA to keep their promises and adjust their approach to immigration or return to the polls and get a mandate from the people.

“If they are unwilling or unable to lobby the OBA, we encourage them to focus their energies on improving our current record 49-year low in air arrivals.”