Keep welcoming visitorsMarch 15, 2011Dear Sir,How can you feature a letter today under “Visitor’s View” from David Morris, an Australian who hasn’t been to Bermuda for 20 years? Is it because you support his romantic memories of Bermuda, his politics and his somehow relevant love for nature? Please, you can do better than that!I am a Canadian who has been to Bermuda eight times (9 weeks) in the past 18 months! I have also been here many times since my first trip in 1988. Why? Because I (and my family) love and respect the place, the people and your way of life. My wife and I have spent a lot of hard earned money here and even invested in property when we could easily have bought way more elsewhere.Unlike Mr Morris, I do not feel it is my place to tell your Senators how to vote on the Tucker’s Point SDO or how to manage your environment, or to incite Bermudians to protest for or against this issue. But what I will say is that we too were here when the tourist industry, hotels, and guest houses were bustling, and the difference today is startling. Bermuda seems to have become complacent, out-pricing itself from a competitive tourism industry, and doing little to promote the wonderful treasures of the Island.The failure of hotel after hotel, and the lack of any brand name hotel is telling the world Bermuda as a tourism market doesn’t work and doesn’t want tourists. The young yob who snatched my camera and belongings from the back of my rental scooter as I was riding yesterday (and all my fond memories with it) is telling me too he doesn’t want me, just my belongings. For many tourists, it might be the last straw. But for me, as worried as I am about the many signs of decline here, it will not stop me from coming back. Wind or rain, sun or wind, I will return because in your hearts Bermudians are good people and your Island is a special place.I hope you continue to welcome us visitors and investors, including those who, along with many Bermudians, share happy times at places like Tucker’s Point.GREGOR REIDOntario