Department of Tourism staff will be given an “exclusive period” to apply for posts in the new Tourism Authority.

A Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) spokeswoman said that department staff can contact the Government’s Human Relations Department to express an interest in posts in the new authority, which will replace the Tourism Department next year.

The spokeswoman said: “These staff will be interviewed and considered. Positions not offered to BDOT staff will then be advertised to the public. As has already been communicated, the position of CEO is already under search and other senior executive positions may also be put out for search in the near future.”

Government has previously said that any department staff who do not obtain positions in the authority will be offered other jobs within the Civil Service.

The spokesman said staff in both the Bermudian and New York offices were informed yesterday of how to apply for positions in the authority, and given information about how it will be structured.

The Tourism Authority will be led by a CEO and consist of four divisions; Tourism Investment, Product and Experience, Sales and Marketing and Corporate Support Functions.

“New Tourism Authority functions and services, identified by a governance model research undertaken by the authority such as investment and funding, product and attraction development, tourism research, tourism education and training as well as niche marketing and management, will be included within the divisions,” the spokeswoman said.

“These will be added to functions that were undertaken by the Tourism Department in the past, such as branding and sales and marketing. There will also be a research and business intelligence unit. These new roles reflect the priorities of the National Tourism Plan.

“Staff were also introduced to the new vision and culture of the BTA, which will be dynamic, vibrant and effective. The organisation will embrace innovation and creativity and value the entrepreneurial spirit.”

Bermuda Tourism Authority chairman David Dodwell added: “The new Tourism Authority will develop core and complementary product and service offerings to increase the overall attractiveness and competitiveness of Bermuda as a tourism destination to strengthen tourism demand and reduce seasonality.

“Our goal is also to enhance investment in Bermuda’s tourism industry through improving the investment environment and managing the investor relations process.

“In line with the BTA’s vision, we will be developing a staffing model that supports this activity and reflects a dynamic, entrepreneurial and vibrant organisation.”

Kevin Grant, president of the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU), said: “The BPSU were in attendance at the presentation, as we have been throughout these deliberations. We realise the exciting opportunity that this may entail for the country, however our main concern has always been and will continue to be the preservation of jobs for our members.

“We will ensure that we provide clarity and any information required by our members to the best of our ability.

“Our members in the BDOT are passionate about tourism in Bermuda and they feel that they can still make a significant contribution. So the BPSU will continue to encourage as much meaningful dialogue and consultation as possible to ensure that we provide the best representation for our members in these delicate times.”