Made to feel unwelcome

May 6, 2008

Dear Sir,

I must share with you and your readers an experience I had upon recently visiting Bermuda to visit a friend working there.

Now, I travel frequently and can say almost without exception, that I am always excited to visit a country for the first time. And, as they say, first impressions count for a lot.

This brings me to my point. The visitors first impression of Bermuda, from my experience, will be a grumpy, over officious immigration officer with not an ounce of interest in transmitting any welcoming signals to the visitor at all. There is absolutely no need for anyone to be treated like the piece of dirt I was coming through immigration as essentially a "customer" of the island of Bermuda.

I was asked stupid and insulting questions, treated discourteously and without respect and made to feel most unwelcome.

Having travelled to many countries with very tight border controls I appreciate the need for care, but I'm sorry, Bermuda, you have got it wrong with your immigration staff's attitude.

I have found out since that this tale is not unusual, and I for one can assure you I will not be in a hurry to come back. I take my tourism business where I feel welcome and wanted, if I want to be insulted I can think of places to do that nearer home.

The tourism market is a tough place to do business, and getting tougher. I can see now why Bermuda has lost tourists and will continue to do so.

TRENT CHIBO

Bradford, United Kingdom