If you want to know what to go and see while in St. George's or the eastern end of the Island there can't be many better people to think of asking than former mayor and town crier E. Michael Jones.

His Caffe Latte cafe in Water Street has long been a favourite drop-in point for tourists visiting the town. Once there they can enjoy a drink and snack, read a newspaper or surf the internet and chat to the owner about what to see in town and how to get around.

Mr. Jones has been involved in tourism in, one form or other, for the past 35 years. So there is logic behind his selection to head the East End's three visitor information centres, a contract he won after tendering for the contract formerly operated by the Chamber of Commerce.

The new look Caffe Latte is the hub of the operation and is still a work in progress. One half — the cafe half — is painted blue, while the visitor bureau half is painted Bermuda beach pink.

That designation between the two portions of the business is to be further enhanced with an imitation Bermuda roof and cottage windows in the visitor bureaux during the next month or so.

Presently the visitor information centre at the cafe is furnished with a cedar reception desk, tables and easy chairs and a row of computer stations to allow internet access.

It is early days but Mr. Jones is pleased with how the visitor services bureau at his cafe is working, as well as the two satellite bureaux at Penno's Wharf and L. F. Wade International Airport.

Currently chairman of the Tourism Board, which acts in an advisory role to Government, Mr. Jones said: "We are in the right place to take on visitors. Our location is next to the main bus stop, so visitors can come down the steps straight off the bus, or from the cruise ships and ferry they have a short walk up the street to our patio here.

"Visitors can come in and get information and sit out on the patio at their leisure. They can stop for coffee, check emails on the internet, go outside and read a newspaper. It is a very convenient location, comfortable for locals and visitors."

Apart from his own extensive knowledge of St. George's and the tourist industry, Mr. Jones' staff also have a good background in the sector and are trained to be able to switch around and fill in at the three locations if the need arises. Indeed, should there ever be no-one at the bureau desk in the cafe, such as early in the morning or later in the evening, Mr. Jones or one of his staff steps in to answer queries, sell bus passes or whatever is required.

The cafe opens from 7.30 a.m. and closes during the week at 6 p.m., with shorter weekend hours.

"We are open seven days a week and being open earlier and later means visitors don't feel they have to wait until nine in the morning to come here or have to be here before 5 p.m.," explained Mr. Jones.

Since taking on the contract to run the three East End visitor bureaux, Mr. Jones' team has grown to six. Including himself there is Frances Goins at the airport, Calvina Wade at Penno's Wharf, and Del Trott, Irma Washington and Danielle Carswell at the main Caffe Latte location.

There are also three Department of Tourism "Pop & Sizzle" tourist ambassadors roaming the town to assist visitors and point them to the bureau if they need extra assistance.

Mr. Trott mans the visitor service desk at the cafe and advises tourists what to see and how to get around. Before joining the team he worked with groups of visitors at the Fairmont Southampton Hotel and before that was with Works and Engineering.

A self-confessed "people person", he said: "I enjoy coming to work. When I was at the Fairmont Southampton I worked with a lot of tourist groups. I was doing that for four years and took this job because I wanted something a little more organised.

"Dealing with visitors and people has always been my forte. I like working with the public and it is what I have always done, even when I was with Works and Engineering."

In his first week or so he has managed to keep pace with the number of visitors arriving and seeking maps of the town and Island, or wanting to know where Tobacco Bay is or how to book a horse and carriage ride.

Boss Mr. Jones added: "All the staff are multi-trained to deal with enquiries. Our lady at the airport has been with us for more than five years so she is quite capable of running that bureau. If any of the staff are unable to satisfy a visitor's request they are always able to call on me."