Investors will put in $1.6 billion into hotels in the future and the Minister of Tourism stressed to students the need for locals to be running them.

Dr. Ewart Brown spread the news at the National Youth Tourism Day ? and local students applauded the idea of Bermudians working in the hospitality sector, from the top to the bottom.

Dr. Brown said he no longer wanted Bermudians to just carry a tray, but to get involved in managing the hotels.

?I believe Bermudians can take their rightful places in the tourism industry and if I am right let me know,? he said.

The news came after students ? in the Beds, Boats and Bites? Hospitality Track, spent the majority of the afternoon exploring a cruise ship in Dockyard and hotels in Southampton and Hamilton.

I had the opportunity to shadow a small group of over 20 students, dressed in bright pink T-shirts, who toured Cruise Ship in Dockyard.

The tour lead by Angelena Belleza, the Guest Sea Co-ordinator, opened up a world of career possibilities to the students, within the entertainment sector of the cruise ? which included a club, casino, pool, buffet, theatre as well as a host of other exciting entertainment sites.

CedarBridge student, Latonae Smith, admitted she would be interested in such a job: ?I would because it looks like a good experience, you meet new people?.

The group filed back onto a chartered bus, which made a second stop to Hamilton?s quaint Waterloo House and met chef Justin Leboe to discuss the importance of locals getting involved in hospitality.

While there, Mr. Leboe opened students? eyes to the great need for locals to get involved in the food industry and said: ?This market is huge and untapped?.

He continued: ?If people roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty there is a lot of money to be made?.

After the second tour, I had the chance to find out what the kids were able to get out of the afternoon experience.

Nikki Marshall from Bermuda High School was enthused and said she would want to work in a hotel because: ?It is different, it?s not normal, you get new experiences?.

Warwick Academy student, Blakeni Walls found the afternoon to be a good learning experience:

?I learnt about restaurants and how they operate. When are their good seasons and when are their bad seasons?.

The day wrapped up shortly after 5 p.m. but all-in-all the day was a success.

?It looks like it went very well. I am impressed with the response of the young people,? said Dr. Brown.