Connie Dey, Bermuda National Trust special interest group coordinator, has been associated with the Bermuda National Trust since its early years in 1972.

Her easy smile and quick wit, along with her distinctly clear voice, are great assets to her job.

She works closely with the Department of Tourism as Bermuda's first special interest group coordinator.

She acts as the on-Island facilitator to help plan and coordinate single events or an entire itinerary for visiting groups and shares her knowledge about Bermuda's history, environment and culture.

Mrs. Dey explained: "These groups are mostly study tours and the visitors come to learn about our culture and history.

"Generally I am with a group for about five days and the average size is between 20 and 30 persons. We also service convention groups, so I would say I interact with about a 100 visitors a week.'' These tourists, from places such as the Smithsonian Museum, art galleries and garden clubs, ask Mrs. Dey all sorts of questions but she says the following are the most frequently asked: 1. "Is the Island composed of native people? Bermuda has no native population as we all came from somewhere.'' 2. "Do we really drink the rainwater? How is it purified? How do we catch it?'' 3. "How much does a house costs? Could I buy one? How do the locals manage the high prices?'' 4. "How is it that our integration works so much better here than where they come from?'' 5. "Why is food so expensive? Why is fish expensive? What's a good fish to order in a restaurant?'' When she thought about recommendations helpful to tourism she said: "When the Smithsonian group booked their Bermuda trip in February of this year their travel agent told them it would be boring! "We need to get the message across that there is cultural life here. Perhaps we should better market our culture and history.'' Mrs. Dey says that a positive aspect of our tourism is the fact that it is easy to get to Bermuda, as there are many direct flights out of many cities.

"The tourists are told by travel agents abroad how expensive our Island is so it would be helpful if those agents also advised how inexpensive the sights are after they arrive.

"With our Heritage Passport you can visit our eight major museums as many times as your wish for $35 and the pass is valid for seven days.'' Tourists have suggested to Mrs. Dey that Tourism could cultivate more `niche markets' such as the Civil War and Bermuda's involvement in the blockade running trade.

During the American Civil War the Confederate agent had his office at the Globe Hotel, King's Square, St. George's.

"Tourists are fascinated with this aspect of American history and also that the slaves in Bermuda were emancipated in 1834, far earlier than in the United States, 1865.

" Tourists are very interested in Mark Twain also.'' Mrs. Dey may be contacted at `Waterville' at the corner of the Lane and Pomander Road, Paget, where visitors are welcome at the National Trust Headquarters in this elegant house built circa 1725.

The phone is 441-236-6483 and the fax is 441-236-0617.

Her email address is: connie y bnt.bm and visit their web site: www.bnt.bm The Bermuda National Trust is dedicated to the preservation of Bermuda's historic and environmental heritage.

Connie Dey, Bermuda National Trust special interest group coordinator, educates tourists about our culture and history.

TOURISM TOU