Dear Mr Editor,

The Louis Vuitton World Series was more than just an event; it was like a dream.

We bumped into people on Front Street we hadn’t seen in ages, we jumped on boats to watch fireworks, witnessed cutting-edge sailing and danced the night away.

It’s like Bermuda has been waiting for the right mix of things to do to shift us back into the “proud to be Bermudians” mode our visitors love most.

Just as Mr Bill Hanbury said during the launch of the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s marketing campaign some months ago; “In order to revive the Bermuda tourism experience that once was, we need to promote ourselves through authentic stories, pictures and videos. We need to get into the hearts and minds of tourists by giving them the experience of a lifetime, an experience they will want to share with others.”

We got it all last weekend, and the best part was how easy and natural it is to promote Bermuda when we’re proud and having a good time.

I believe promotion works best when it comes naturally. Proud Bermudians, happy residents and visitors have been sharing photos and videos of last weekend with friends and family around the world.

It’s not just the yacht races that excite the people who see those social media images, it’s the faces of happy people, amazing weather and unforgettable memories in the making. I know there are a lot of people out there figuring out how to get here and have a taste of our Bermuda experience.

If we embrace our major Bermudian experiences with the excitement and happiness many of us experienced last weekend, we will be the place to be and the people to meet.

I did notice the absence of Louis Vuitton products on the Island. Possibly that “miss” created the opportunity for a new local business, Lifestyles Co Ltd. Thanks to Bermudians Marjorie Richardson-Caines and team who developed a line of America’s Cup travel bags. Clearly, they have the courage to ask the questions and stick to the wicket for a licence to create an authentic America’s Cup product line and live their dream.

Stay positive and live the dream Bermuda.

SUSAN JACKSON