Dear Sir,

According to the clock on Front Street, we are only 58 days out from the start of the America’s Cup and it is fast approaching.

We have heard in recent weeks some of the logistical issues that have begun to crop up and are no doubt being rectified. Everyone involved with the AC has done a stellar job with the organisation and the ensuing stumbling blocks as a whole.

We have seen the hotel prices soar to astronomical levels for the America’s Cup weeks, which is normal for any city in the world when hosting a large sporting event. However, when our prices are already at inflated levels, it is no doubt a putoff for travelling tourists to our shores. Most hotels are sold out already, with the exception of a small few, some looking to charge more than $3,000 a night. That’s business, however, and there is no argument here, as I am sure that the hotel rooms will all sell out eventually. What has been more concerning is the approach a lot of Bermudians have taken with regards to their own properties. I appreciate that people want to take advantage of the America’s Cup and make a quick buck here and there, but attempting to rent out a $3,000/month properties for $500 a night is probably going to be a lost cause in most cases.

I lived in Dublin, Ireland, when that city hosted the Ryder Cup in 2006, and I saw exactly the same thing unfold. What happened in the end was that none of these houses rented for the astronomical prices that were being asked. Granted, there were more options available in a large city than we do have in Bermuda, but the point is that people are unlikely to even come to Bermuda if they cannot afford to stay here, or if there are no viable alternatives for them.

I read an article today about the Lions rugby tour to New Zealand this summer, which is another huge sporting event; at least 20,000 fans are expected to travel to that.

“Hotel prices in Auckland, where the first and third Tests will be played, are currently ranging between the NZ$300-400 mark for a Friday to Sunday stay, however, for the weekend of the first Lions Test in June, prices are doubling and tripling, depending on the hotel,” it read.

“Sadly for a lot of the fans, the price for accommodation is putting it beyond their reach, or the cities hosting the matches have no rooms left at all.”

What have the Kiwis done to allow the rugby fans to travel to New Zealand? Well, they have opened their doors and are “adopting a Lions fan or two” to stay in spare rooms in their homes. This is a huge gesture from a sporting-mad country and one, let’s not forget, that is desperate to get the America’s Cup back to its own shores.

Bermudians are renowned for their hospitality. Rather than attempting to make a quick buck, which is likely to never materialise on a grand scale, I’m encouraging everyone who can to “open your doors to an America’s Cup fan in 2017”. This sort of gesture will allow more fans to travel to Bermuda and spend some money that would otherwise never have set foot on our shores.

I have set up a Facebook Event page, where Bermudians can post any availability and America’s Cup fans can make contact to arrange accommodation. It is called “Open Your Doors To An America’s Cup Fan In 2017”.

The long-term effect a gesture such as this can have is immeasurable and really solidifies the reputation that Bermuda has for welcoming people.

The Kiwis are already making headlines around the world by their gesture.

RONAN KANE