January 15, 2014

Dear Sir,

I’ve just read the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s investment programme which to me borders on bureaucratic rubbish. Even the name they have chosen for themselves ‘Authority’ is rather foreboding. I don’t think I would want them as my business partner, well meaning as they might be.

So far it seems like they are missing the point or at least not addressing it. Individual events, activities etc is not where they should be looking, what is needed is an Island identity. What is Bermuda? (and it probably wouldn’t hurt to say where!) we don’t need to invent ourselves just REINVENT ourselves, we’ve done it before, hopefully we can do it again, but it’s going to require all of us to participate at some level or other.

Bermuda thrived between the 50s and mid 80s because we had an identity (and hear comes the dreaded “C” word). We were a British Colony and the world loved us for it and boy, did we play it up!

You couldn’t be more British than Bermudians, and Americans came down here in droves! Little fringed top taxis driving on the left side of the road, four o’clock teas, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, cricket games, Watney’s Red Barrel and bobbies, pubs and old-style department stores, friendly smiles and “please come back again!”

Live music and entertainment from one end of Hamilton to the other.

Bermuda — “Britain’s Crown Jewel in the Atlantic”. Don’t believe it couldn’t work? Just take a look at Neilson ratings for Downton Abbey, the Queen’s Jubilee, Royal Weddings and Royal Births, they can’t get enough of the British experience, and we’re 90 minutes off shore where they can find it if we want to get involved.

For those of us who have a problem with the word ‘colony’ get a life and get over it. We’re not going to have too many chances to get this right, and right now would be a good time.

Happy to be a Colonial