January 6, 2014

Dear Sir,

The recognition by the Chairman David Dodwell of the new Tourism Authority that our visiting tourists need to be able to rent three wheel drive vehicles and small cars to get around Bermuda these days is long overdue. It used to be the case many years ago that tourists could rent motor assisted bikes like the Mobylette and the Zundapp and ride around Bermuda in complete safety but those days are long gone. I ride a 150cc bike now and almost every day experience the sensation of a bike coming up fast behind me and then overtaking me at colossal speed. I watch in amazement as some of these riders drive up to the car ahead and overtake the car ahead on blind corners even though the car ahead is doing 40k or more. These riders do not seem to care about their own life and they certainly do not care about the lives of others. Driving a motor assisted bike on our roads these days is dangerous and it is high time we give our visitors a better transport option.

The introduction of this rental option for tourists in Bermuda will encourage wealthier tourists to rent these vehicles for the entire length of their stay and to visit outlying tourist attractions like St. David’s or Somerset that they otherwise are unlikely to do. When I go to the Cayman Islands or the BVI or Barbados I always rent a car and collect it at the airport and keep it for the entire length of my stay. I use it whenever I want and go wherever I want, at any time I want, and it is a great convenience that I would not want to give up. Many visitors to Bermuda, including businessman, will rent these vehicles when they come to Bermuda and will stay in other places than hotels within walking distance of Hamilton because they then have the mobility they need to get around.

The introduction of this transport option will lead to more tourists visiting Bermuda, more jobs for car mechanics, better revenues for car dealers and cycle rental shops, and make Bermuda more attractive to wealthier visitors. Bermuda is expensive and appeals more to the tourist who can afford Bermuda than those on a strict budget. The lack of this transport option is a serious detraction for them.

I would encourage other thinking people to write letters about this subject and join in the discussion. We all need to contribute our thoughts about how we are going to increase the numbers of tourists visiting Bermuda so we can start growing our island revenues again and find jobs for our youngsters who want to work but who presently cannot find a job.

KIRK KITSON

President

Rosedon Hotel Limited