Minors upbeat on Tourism Board Retreat ideas
Bermuda’s tourism product needs a clear identity with the Island’s key visitors found to be affluent, and eager for family or couples holidays with plenty of outdoor activities.These are some of the points from last weekend’s Tourism Board Retreat at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.Representatives from the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce and the Bermuda Hotel Association also attended the retreat, held as part of the Board’s bid to develop a National Tourism Plan.Tourism Minister Patrice Minors said she was pleased with the frank talk that had emerged.“We have an opportunity to get it right in 2011 and 2012, by touting our assets in this industry,” Ms Minors said, adding that Bermuda needs “a resurgence with our local entertainment product”.She said: “We have immense talent here in Bermuda, and when our visitors come to the Island, they not only want to see our culture, but they want to hear it and immerse themselves in it as well. So in the upcoming weeks, I will be making an important announcement with respect to our local entertainment offering.”Entertainment promoter Belcario Thomas said the Retreat had “at the very least halted the escalation of negative thoughts towards our downward spiralling industry”.Ms Minors said the Tourism Board would host more events, for “the broadest possible consultation from the public as it relates to the National Tourism Plan”.