and telecommunications, one young local has decided that good old fashioned hospitality is more rewarding than life in the fast lane.

Haley Williams, 22, has followed the tradition of those who entered the hospitality industry and said she hoped that more Bermudians picked up the gauntlet and entered the field.

"It's a lot of hard work and some people are not cut out for it,'' she said, "but it can be a lot of fun and very rewarding.'' With a Bachelors degree in Hospitality Management from Johnson and Wales University, a school that specialises in teaching culinary and hospitality training, Ms Williams has returned to the Island in an effort to help Bermuda's tourism industry.

She is currently an assistant manager in training at Cambridge Beaches and is focused on helping bring the hotel to a five star level.

"There is something not right with the industry and you can tell with the closures of Castle Harbour, Belmont and Palmetto that something is lacking,'' she said. "So we are in discussions daily to try and research the tourism industry in Bermuda and try to come up with solutions.'' She continued: "You have to start somewhere. There is a lot of competition out there, but Cambridge is a great property and we're already maintaining higher standards.'' She noted that initial efforts are beginning to pay off, with Cambridge guests giving good reviews on their stay at the property.

"Feedback has been really good so far,'' she said. "They think that Bermuda is amazing and we are doing our best to give them a good hotel experience while they're here.'' Ms Williams said she believed that having a family steeped in various aspects of the hospitality industry was instrumental to her career choice.

Her father owned and managed The Terrace Restaurant which was located upstairs of A.S. Coopers on Front Street and he has recently opened Cafe Continental on Burnaby Street.

"My parents have been very supportive of me,'' she said. "They are always giving me good advice and pushed me to make the right decisions.'' Ms Williams admitted that her love of interacting with people from all walks of life was also key to entering the field.

"I think I'm a people person,'' she said. "I've had good experience working at Elbow Beach and Flanagans and I just realised that I enjoyed interacting with people and guests.'' And after having been in the US for nearly seven years for schooling and gaining hands on training in different hotels around the country, she said she has developed a better appreciation for the Island, its beauty and culture.

"I love Bermuda,'' she said. "It has a lot of good aspects compared to other countries. I've been here since April this year and it feels really good to be home after being away so long.'' Ms Williams said she ultimately hoped to make a significant change to not only the Cambridge property, but in tourism as a whole.

And she said she believed that whether Bermudians were in the hospitality industry or not, everyone should take concern for the industry and its visitors.

"You have to be committed and devoted,'' she said. "It's great to put all what I've learned into practise.

"I hope one day to reach management and Cambridge is giving me a well rounded experience. There is a real family atmosphere there and we all work together to give our guests one on one contact. For me the gratification from them is gold.''