November 19, 2005

Dear Sir,

It is with reluctance that I write to the , following our recent visit to Bermuda. As a long time devotee of the Bermuda isles, having for a number of years been an interval owner at the St. George Club, I feel compelled to offer the following benign criticism as a friend wishing Bermuda's continued success as a tourist destination.

I read with interest Tourist and Transport Minister Brown's casting an accusatory finger at the hotel industry for Bermuda's decline in tourism. It was with, equal interest that I read the expected response of the hotel industry to Dr. Brown's opinion.

This being our thirty first visit to the islands we have had the pleasure of spending holidays in many Bermuda hotels and resorts, and have seldom been disappointed with the amenities and service received.

Bermuda is one of the most beautiful of islands ? as Hubert Smith correctly evoked, Bermuda, is indeed, another world. The endless pink sand beaches are unsurpassed anywhere. The people continue to be warm and friendly as always. Bermudians like Beau Robinson and the staff at Rosedon are great ambassadors of good will for Bermuda. As for crime, in an increasingly violent world, I can still feel safe with far less precautionary measures necessary than islands further to the south.

Minister Brown, I'm certain, would not hesitate to guide Bermuda's tourism success to ever greater heights, but he does not possess a magic wand and can only deal with the realities that exist and that is the point of this letter. Bermuda is progressively pricing itself out of the tourist market.

Whereas flights from Boston to Bermuda, usually 1 hrs., were at one time reasonable in cost ? on our recent visit in order to get a more reasonable fare we had to fly from Boston to JFK and then to Bermuda taking over six hours. Airfares to Bermuda are outrageous when one considers flying RT to Florida or California, in many instances, is less than a quarter of the cost. Thence cab fare to Hamilton from the airport cost over thirty dollars, to Horseshoe Bay Beach from Hamilton even more. The food concession and rental service at Horseshoe Bay were not open. In October? One can only surmise this was due to the lack of business.

Food and restaurant prices are very expensive for tourist and natives alike. We could not find a fish entree on any restaurant menu for less than thirty dollars. In an island surrounded by water, increased fuel costs notwithstanding?

Regrettably, I have no sure or quick solutions to offer Bermuda's tourist malaise. I am sure, however, Minister Brown, the Bermuda Government, and the hotel industry would be wise to see measure to ameliorate some of the above if possible. Bermuda needs to be once again perceived as a less prohibitive destination for the once and future destination of Americans. Long standing efforts to attract more European interest seems not be have succeed significantly. In the final analysis you may be stuck with catering more to Bermuda's closer neighbour. With sincere wishes for Bermuda's continued prosperity.

DR. NICHOLAS ALBANESE

MA

The facts of political life

November 25, 2005

Dear Sir,

We regularly complain about the things some politicians say and do.

Instead, we should simply accept the fact that some people who go into politics are nasty, angry and vicious human beings.

What puzzles me is how and why these people get appointed to high office when they probably could not get elected.

WATCHING

Paget

Cycle shop was terrific!

November 24, 2005

Dear Sir,

Last August, I purchased a bike from Cycles International in Southampton. It was a bold red colour, but after the first three months, should instead have been repainted bright yellow due to its serious attempt at qualifying as a lemon. It was "repaired" in varying degrees of success (i.e. none) by the mechanics at Cycles International, but after the seventh visit in less than a-year, and the bike in extremely dubious mechanical condition, I was losing all hope of ever being satisfied with my purchase, and quite frankly was becoming angry.

Well imagine my utter surprise when Rea Holloway, owner at Cycles International, said, "Mr. Barnett, we have decided in conjunction with our overseas supplier to give you a BRAND NEW BIKE, as we cannot seem to fix this one". Within a month I did indeed have a brand new bike.

Cycles International has stood by their product, and have ensured my 100% satisfaction and then some. I highly recommend them to any future motorcycle or scooter purchaser, due to their commitment and willingness to stand behind the product they sell. Well done.

PHILIP BARNETT

Traits of a great leader

November 26, 2005

Dear Sir,

Grant Gibbons is a fair, honest, kind, and wise person. He shows wise judgment in his assessment of issues ? he is an ethical person, and he has an up-front honesty when speaking up about the wrong he sees happening. Charm, and charisma, and well-timed rhetoric are all very well, in any leader which Bermuda might wish for, but these traits, while great for a social gathering, are the traits of an entertainer, whose job is to make sure he is loved. These traits can be switched off in a second as soon as the going gets rough. Grant Gibbons has the long term, permanent traits of wisdom, intelligence and decency. You can count on this man to take into account all the different aspects of a troubling situation, to double check the source and thereby accuracy of all the reports which he needs to review, and to make the right decision for our people, no matter what issues come up. All the traits of a great leader.

CARING IN PEMBROKE

Hamilton

Tourism own goals

November 25, 2005

Dear Sir,

Re: Slump in Tourism Air Arrivals.

As a disabled Bermudian, I have experienced similar unprofessional treatment at the Airport from Customs Officials as described in a letter from tourist, David Lesperance, which appeared in the and sent to you sometime after 18 October 2005. On crutches, I was sent to have my bag inspected and the young lady was most rude and officious. I know they have a job to do but my suggestion to you is that all Customs Officials should be sent on 'sensitivity' and 'diversity' training. They also should be educated about how valuable every single tourist is to this Island.

I wish to applaud you on your success in getting low-cost airlines flying to Bermuda. Unfortunately, I travel almost exclusively to Boston and the airfares are still running $550-$650 for the one and a half hour flight! I am sure many tourists from the New England area are put off from coming to Bermuda because of these prices, especially when they can travel to the Caribbean for half the price. $600 might even get them a 3-4 night package including airfare to Jamaica! We just cannot compete.

Just a Bermudian giving you some feedback.

ROBERT MASTERS

Paget