A “glimmer of optimism” was offered with recently announced plans to reorganise the Bermuda Tourism Authority, but the Government must do its part to ensure the sector’s success, the shadow tourism minister said today.

Dwayne Robinson said challenges with transportation need to be addressed while amenities such as public bathrooms and beaches should be properly maintained so that visitors to the island can enjoy an experience that matches the marketing.

His comments came after the BTA announced the conclusion of an internal review in the wake of a turbulent period that included the resignation of its chief executive, Tracy Berkeley.

The quango revealed that key outcomes from a strategy session last month included a commitment to reorganise so that the areas of sales, marketing and business development, and people and culture, may be strengthened.

Mr Robinson said: “The One Bermuda Alliance welcomes the recently announced changes to be implemented by the Bermuda Tourism Authority and the imminent search for a new CEO.

“The commitment to restructuring and reorganising will provide a glimmer of optimism, and hopefully show tangible results.”

He added: “Now that the Bermuda Tourism Authority has publicly pledged to get itself back on the right track, where is the Government’s plan for the necessary financial investment to support the growth of our tourism industry?

“There was very little mention of tourism between the last two throne speeches, which I raised as a concern previously.

“The tourism investment orders passed by the Government in the previous session are going to provide much needed additions to our tourism product and have been supported by the OBA in the House [of Assembly].

“However, tourism investment orders alone while waiting for the Fairmont Southampton to reopen is not a comprehensive plan to support the growth of our tourism industry.”

The shadow minister said that the Government should invest in meetings, conference and exhibitions infrastructure to boost business tourism.

He claimed that additional hotel developers should be attracted to the island to further increase bed capacity.

Mr Robinson added that the Government should “properly maintain our amenities such as beaches, public bathrooms, railways and roads”, and expand sports tourism opportunities.

He said that the Progressive Labour Party administration should begin producing a separate investment scheme that supports the National Tourism Plan managed by the BTA.

“One of the most cited issues by hotels is transportation, which has also frustrated the Bermudian public,” the shadow minister added.

“Multiple members of the industry have come forward with their suggested fixes to the issues plaguing transportation, which shows a willingness from stakeholders to remedy the issues.

“However, the minister has yet to come forward with a comprehensive plan of his own to address the woes of transport.

“With no set date for the ridesharing legislation to be brought before the House of Assembly, the minister cannot simply sit on his hands.

“Now is the time to work with the transport operators you have, to provide a short-term solution, while a longer-term collaborative solution is developed.

“If this is ongoing, it would be excellent for the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport to provide a public progress update to the people of Bermuda.”

Mr Robinson said: “The Bermuda Tourism Authority can attract tourists to our shores, but if we aren’t investing in our tourism product, how can we ensure that our tourists have a top-tier experience and become repeat visitors?

“The Government must do its part to ensure the success of the National Tourism Plan; the experience must match the marketing.”

Comment has been invited from Owen Darrell, the tourism minister.