Tourism in Bermuda has a bright future despite the current troubles and everyone must start building for it now, Visitor Industry Partnership (VIP) executive director Stacey Evans told Hamilton Rotarians yesterday.

She said it was vital everyone played a role to help restore pride in the Island's biggest employer.

VIP, which is Government-funded, was formed in 1995, to help the industry by restoring pride among the staff.

It organises the VIP Sunshine Awards where four hospitality workers each year, who are nominated by tourists, are given awards.

Other events include Tourism Appreciation Week and the annual VIP Excellence awards, which recognise top staff in 17 different categories.

Ms Evans said: "Tourism is not dead and Bermuda has certainly not priced itself out of the market. Sadly, though, tourism has suffered a decline during the past decade and in the shorter term we will suffer even more greatly.

"But we must think more positively and prepare a path for our future and the longer term. I have a good feeling that some great things are on our horizon for Bermuda.

"If our hospitality workers are filled with knowledge and pride in their work, our visitors will have an even more positive and enjoyable experience in Bermuda.

"VIP is committed with great passion to keep alive the pride in our tourism and hospitality industry. Through recognition and training programmes we will continue to encourage our youth, promote the positive and lend a helping hand through rough times."