21 September, 2014

Dear Sir,

It now appears that the instituting of the Bermuda Tourism Authority is a very good development indeed under the able leadership of Bill Hanbury.

This body of professionals which is made up of majority Bermudians is especially gratifying and provides a model for the harvesting of local talent.

What a coup it is to have the likes of a Glenn Jones on board with a clearly demonstrated ability and we wish him well in this exciting new venture given his youth and great contributions in other endeavours for his country. If his future suggests the top spot then so much the better.

The authority was put in place to have tourism in the hands of professionals for its revival and to assist in the economic recovery of our country and to generate jobs in an area that in the past our people excelled with great distinction. They are working diligently to achieve their objectives despite those that enjoy the orgy of negative political invective designed to discredit and discourage success.

These are very strong words some may posit but the continual crossfire of negative rhetoric is not helpful in the global competition for tourism dollars. To this point, let me add that local stations are now live-stream on the World Wide Web and it is irresponsible for any announcer or talk show caller to tell the listeners that Bermuda is boring and lacking entertainment at night!

Talk to our visitors and hear how they are enthralled with the magical beauty of one of the most special islands on this planet with crystal clear water and irresistible pink beaches. To them, it is an escape to a wondrous garden where the pace is slower and refreshing with natives that are friendly and warmly hospitable! We are manicured and pristine by comparison to many of our competitors, that is what they say about us and their desire to return.

The most asked question on the radio almost daily is how large is Mr Hanbury’s salary, if under this gentleman’s leadership given his impressive credentials he is able to put Bermuda back in the minds quality-seeking vacationers exactly how much is too much to pay him? Eventually we will know Mr Hanbury’s salary, in the mean time we need to support the authority in the hard work they are demonstrating for our collective benefit.

Lastly, I must once again reiterate that loose and inflammatory political rhetoric and never ending harangues replete with black and white vitriol is not marketable for visitors we are trying to attract. Making repeated calls for the island to be shut down is given a world audience and is not only irresponsible but foolish in the extreme.

Local radio is not as local as it used to be.

Wayne B Scott JP