THIS week Bermuda is playing host to the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference, which is being held at the Fairmont Southampton. It's really the only option; we need another conference centre, but I digress. I'm glad I attended, for I learned a great deal. You'll be pleased to hear that Bermuda is doing well and is perceived well in the Caribbean region.

Many of our colleagues to the south (and indeed around the world) know only too well what Bermuda's problems have been. However, as regional partners, they are delighted that we are taking our tourism industry and its challenges into our own hands.

We'll look at the conference and certainly Bermuda's tourism industry in more detail after the Top 20.

Up to number one is Yo (Excuse me Miss) by Chris Brown. This joint is doing well in charts all over the world. I can't wait for the Chris Brown concert right here in Bermuda on June 8. Y'all better get your tickets now, because there will not be any left at the door. You know Bermudians; we'll wait until 30 minutes before the concert to go get tickets then wonder why there are none left! Daa!

Tumbling to number two this week is Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz who are easily the most creative and diverse outfit in the business. Immovable in the number three spot is the kicking new joint from the Queen of R&B, Mary J Blige, entitled Be Without You.

Beyonce's new joint, a collaboration with Slim Thug entitled Check On It, holds at number four. Immovable at number five is So Sick by Ne Yo, one of the smoothest love songs of the year. This brother has that smooth, silky voice that is perfect for love songs. Sorry, the new hit from Pop Queen Madonna, holds serve at number six. Speaking of holding serve, you all have to go and see the squash tournament at Bermuda High School this week. Watching \the pros made me realize that most of us don't really play squash, we just mess around with it; these guys (and girls) are super fit and play some absolutely unbelievable shots.

Up to number seven is Busta Rhymes' new hit - Touch It. Busta is one of the most creative and freaky rappers, who is willing to try something different with his look and most certainly in his videos.

Down to number eight this week is the new one by Dem Franchize Boyz featuring Lil Peanut and Charlay, entitled Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It.

Now, shifting gears to dancehall, Temperature by Yardie Sean Paul moves up to number nine. You gotta love Sean Paul's beats. This track has the typical modern day dancehall beats, that are a bit faster than the older, more conscious reggae from back in the day, but which make you dance, move your feet and bop your head.

Climbing to number 10 is I'm N Luv (Wit A Stripper) by T-Pain featuring Mike Jones. Improving to number 11 is the new one from Keyshia Cole, entitled Love.

Falling to number 12 is Hung Up, the monster dance/pop anthem from Queen of dance and pop, Madonna. Slipping to number 13 is a former essential new joint - Nasty Girl by The Notorious B.I.G., Nelly, Diddy, Jagged Edge and Avery Storm.

Now some new joints that are advancing up the charts. Improving to number 14 this week is a big tune, Testify by Common. Up to number 15 is Rodeo by Juvenile, a new one that is easing up the hip hop and R&B charts and getting increasing air play.

Dropping to number 16 is Jamie Foxx and Ludacris, with their hit single Unpredictable, which is still getting a lot of love from radio and nightspots.

Up to number 17 is Best Friend by Oliva and 50 Cent. This track kicks and as is usual with 50's hits, it is very catchy. Climbing to number 18 is What You Know by T.I.

Now this week's essential new joint. In at number 19 its Three 6 Mafia's new hit, Poppin My Collar. Also new and rounding things out at number 20 it's the Bajan Bombshell Rihanna with her latest hit SOS. There's even a dance mix to keep everybody happy. This young lady has burst onto the scene with her sexy, sultry look, hot beats and her hot body. However, she is a bit young and you have to wonder if you'd want your 18 year old daughter flaunting her body in this manner. The answer for me is, "No".

Now back to this week's word - the CHTIC and Bermuda's tourism industry.

Bermuda has a funny relationship with the Caribbean. We acknowledge that we have ties to the Caribbean but we are a little different from the Caribbean. There is a desire by many to form closer alliances with the region but then there is reluctance by others.

Why? I don't know. However, what I do know is that some of the most brilliant minds in the World Tourism Industry are in the Caribbean Region. This is not even about the colour of one's skin. There are black, white, biracial, British, American, French, Dutch, German, Italian, Canadian and many other nationals who are represented, heavily invested in and most certainly an integral part of the Caribbean.

There appears to be the desire to be involved but not to be fully involved. Its like we want to reap the benefits of association with the Caribbean but we don't want any negatives. Some people say that Bermuda isn't the Caribbean and that Bermuda isn't in the Caribbean! Well, news flash, they are right, Bermuda isn't the Caribbean and nor are we located directly in the region.

However, perception is reality and Bermuda continues to be inextricably linked with the Caribbean, in the minds of many people worldwide. My ancestors are from the Caribbean and so are those of many Bermudians. We have to get up off our high horses and remember that until 1609 nobody was living here! So we all had to come here from somewhere! How dumb can we be?

It is possible to not be physically located in a region but be associated with it. The Caribbean is thriving, business is growing and moves are afoot to increase investment in the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry. Bermuda has to jump in with both feet. In life you can't sit on the fence forever. We are not feeling any love, major investment or interest from the UK, US (they won't even clean up the mess they left at Morgan's Point), Canada or any other world leader, but the Caribbean is like a parent to a wayward child or prodigal son; their arms are always open wide and they always welcome us.

There is much to be gained by full and proper association and affiliation with the Caribbean region, especially if we want to grow our tourism industry. I am especially interested in suggestions for making Bermuda more efficient and creating conditions that reduce the cost of doing business here, for these are some of the major challenges facing hotels in Bermuda. However, some of the brightest minds and most forward thinking organizations are in the Caribbean region. Therefore, it behooves Bermuda to maintain its ties with the Caribbean and utilize this relationship to grow from strength to strength.

I can tell you that all of the delegates at the conference are impressed by our Minister of Tourism, Dr. Ewart F. Brown. They see him as the results driven and effective Minister that he has proved himself to be. They see that under his leadership things in Bermuda have changed. We are being more aggressive and they see us as getting things done.

At the opening ceremony, following Minister Brown's address, the guy sitting next to me, who interestingly was a Caucasian American, said, "He is very impressive. I'd vote for him!"

Another delegate asked why Bermuda took so long to strong arm the legacy airlines by establishing relationships with low cost carriers! The only way you create conditions more favourable to consumers is through competition. Now that we have successfully done this in North America, it is time to treat British Airways in the same way.

The Bermuda route has been a cash cow for British Airways forever, with no competition in sight. Whenever competition is discussed, the deck is stacked against the would-be competing airline so that they can never obtain permission to fly from the UK, or they cannot get financing, or whatever.

We have to remember that the British Government has a vested interest in British Airways. Therefore, they will never be keen to permit competition. However, persevere we must. I am certain that I will live to see the day when there is competition on the UK to Bermuda route, even if I have to fly the planes myself.

Speaking of flying, I have to share with you that I recently had the experience of a lifetime.

I was in Jamaica with the Regiment last month, on a plane, and the pilot allowed me to fly the plane (a small Cessna 12 seater) for a couple of minutes, at about 5000 feet.

Very, very cool. I flew left, right, up, then down. It wasn't that difficult. I was like a child, a typically spoiled Bermudian child, on Christmas morning, opening his toys.

So, don't be surprised if DJLT flies that first Air Bermuda flight from Heathrow to the Bermuda International Airport (sometime around March of 2010).

Peace be with you ...