The Government is confident that the Bermuda Tourism Authority board will take steps to address cultural issues at the quango, senators heard this week.

Mischa Fubler, the junior tourism minister, was asked by Maurice Foley, a One Bermuda Alliance senator, what actions the Government would take in response to a recent EY review that found a culture of mistrust.

Mr Fubler responded during Wednesday’s sitting of the Upper House that the BTA board retained “full responsibility” for addressing issues and recommendations raised by the report.

“That being said, I am confident, and the minister is as well, that the BTA board will respond appropriately to the findings and will implement the required changes,” he said.

Asked by Mr Foley whether the Ministry of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport would commit to releasing a progress report, Mr Fubler said the decision was one for the BTA board, not the ministry.

Records released to The Royal Gazette under public access to information showed that 30 people left the BTA in little more than 2½ years.

The highly critical review by EY, published in March, found that “mistrust”, “domineering” and “siloed” were words consistently used when interviewees described the workplace culture.

The board expressed in a statement its “deep concern” with the findings of the review, stating that it acknowledged and accepted the “disappointing failing grade” it gave the BTA.

More than half of the character traits used to describe the workplace were positive.

In March, after the publication of the EY report, the tourism authority said the board had engaged a “well-regarded HR consultancy firm to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the BTA’s internal culture, policies and HR practices”.

A spokeswoman added at the time: “The work will include an independent review of past employee departures, one-on-one engagements with current staff and a full evaluation of HR policies and procedures to ensure alignment with best practices.”