Bermuda’s unpolished jewels are the key to turning tourism into a billion dollar industry, Tourism Board member Vince Ingham claimed last night.Beauty spots such as St David’s already contain untapped resources which could attract vast numbers of visitors prepared to spend large amounts of cash, Senator Ingham told an upbeat town hall meeting on the newly released National Tourism Plan.Sen Ingham and the rest of the Tourism Board, together with researchers Tourism and Leisure Europraxis, expressed confidence the Island can meet its ambitious goal of quadrupling income from tourism to $1.4 billion by 2022.They plan to create four destination hubs on the Island, with another offshore; they will target the luxury market while converting cruise visitors into air arrivals and extending the tourism season beyond the summer months.While major investment is expected in the long-term through Public-Private-Partnerships, the meeting of about 200 people at Berkeley Institute was told much of the initial work will be done at little cost.Responding to an audience member’s suggestion St David’s unique history could be used as a selling point, Sen Ingham said: “St David’s has a lot of history. We see that sitting nicely with the whole definition of the East End hub.“We have got so many natural resources in Bermuda that are sitting there and can be developed very quickly with little capital required.“This is something that, if all Bermudians mobilise and saw these opportunities, we can very quickly bring to market some new services which we can start to sell to niche markets.“We have got jewels in each one of these hubs that just needs to be taken out and polished. It just takes imagination. I think these plans provide hope through imagination.”Social commentator Cordell Riley, one of the audience members, described the anticipated jump from $400 million a year to $1.5 billion as “a little bit ambitious” and asked: “How realistic is this plan, for ten years?”Nanita Ferrone, of Tourism and Leisure Europraxis, noted air passengers spend significantly more than cruise passengers, while many new activities will be set up to encourage spending.“Yes, it’s an aggressive growth, but it can be achievable according to this plan,” she said.Sen Ingham added: “It’s very doable. I believe it’s a plan that requires a lot of coordination but the activities, once established, will generate the interest for the niche market we are seeking to attract.”According to the plan, hubs will be set up in the East End including St David’s, Dockyard, South Shore, City of Hamilton and offshore.St George’s will be presented as a charming world heritage destination with walking tours, boutique retail, outdoor dining, craft markets, heritage museums, live entertainment and waterfront experiences.Hamilton will be showcased as an iconic modern city with Bermudian flair, with nightlife venues and signature restaurants as well as conference facilities and services.The South Shore, with its natural and island beauty, will be highlighted as a remedy for stress, with signature golf and cultural programmes.Dockyard will be designed as a versatile and fun place in a distinctive maritime setting, with multiple leisure activities.Offshore Bermuda will give visitors the chance to explore the underwater heritage system of shipwrecks and pristine coral reef dive sites, as well as enjoy sports fishing sites.Tourism Board chairman Maxwell Burgess said relaxing the Island’s gaming laws is one of the keys to making the plan succeed, telling the audience their vote could be crucial when the referendum takes place.