Where has the unparalleled, world-class service that once personified Bermuda's tourism and hospitality gone?

It has become a common lament over the past few years and one former hotel worker Ed Ball, president of Bermuda Public Services Union, has now spoken of what he feels is lacking.

The pride in giving an unrivalled experience to visitors, guidance from experienced mentors and all-year round employment in the hospitality sector are key he says.

And he also feels Bermuda should work to re-generate its once thriving home-grown music scene to further boost its tourism attraction and strengthen its unique culture.

In his younger days Mr. Ball worked part-time in the hotel industry earning money while completing his schooling, and he remembers the pride of Bermudian hospitality workers then, their impeccable attention to detail and providing an unrivalled service for guests.

That has declined and has not been helped by the loss of stable, all-year round employment for many working in the industry, said Mr. Ball, and has been coupled with the high cost of living on the Island, which has made it increasingly difficult for hospitality workers to budget and make it their life-long vocation.

"When I worked in the hotel I worked with a great group of Bermudian men and women who had been working in the hotel business for many, many years and because of their experience and service places like Cambridge Beaches, The Reefs and Pompano had a large number of returning guests," he said.

"The level of service required then was very high. As an example all the waiters were inspected before they went into the dining room. They were inspected by the Bermudian maitre d' or captain of the dinning room. Fingernails, hair and facial hair had to be manicured and women had to wear hairnets. Shoes had to be clean and polished and clothing smart. That had to be done every day."

He said: "So I'm very aware of the standard that Bermuda workers put in to the Bermuda hotel industry and it would be good to get that back. That goes for the restaurants as well. A lot of people have not had the mentoring from committed workers who made the hotel industry a career."

Pretending there is no problem with the level of service now being provided in Bermuda is not the answer either, according to Mr. Ball. He said anyone who wants to see what high standard hospitality in the 21st century is all about needs only pay a visit to Europe, Mexico or some neighbouring Caribbean destinations to see for themselves.

The effect of some hotels and resorts closing down during the winter months has also had a big impact on the hospitality industry, he added.

"I feel very saddened for any Bermudian whether manager or worker in the hotel industry trying to make a career because living expenses occur over 12 months not just the six to eight months when the hotel occupancy levels are at their maximum. So in that regard it will be very difficult for the hotel owners to attract and retain locals if those staff are only going to be able to have work for half-a-year or so," he said.

When it comes to finding a solution, Mr. Ball said: "When I was a student what used to happen when the hotels closed was that all the Bermudian staff assisted in refurbishment, cleaning and painting of the cottages and rooms ? so they had work sometimes for the whole year round."

He also feels efforts should be made to bring about a revival in Bermudian home-grown musical talent, with musicians being able to entertain visitors at restaurants, hotels and special events such as Harbour Nights.

Mr. Ball said he supported the efforts of Bermudian musicians to gain recognition and said it was unfortunate the once vibrant music scene the Island enjoyed when it had popular music venues such as the Clay House and Jungle Room in Queen Street had withered away.

It was time to bring that segment of Bermudian culture back, he said.

"Those Bermudian musicians had a niche and a following of tourists. They created their own songs and the tourists felt they were in a tropical paradise," he explained.

"I know the Bermuda Musicians Union has qualified members who have graduated from the Berklee College of Music and are more than up for the challenge."

Mr. Ball said the musicians should be brought into the hotels, restaurants and settings like Harbour Nights, adding: "In order for the musicians to survive and have year-round earnings Bermudians also have to give them patronage."