Archive for the ‘Essential’ Category

Hundreds of travellers have been left stranded in Bermuda and elsewhere following the collapse of the low-cost transatlantic airline Zoom. The UK and Canada-based firm suspended all operations yesterday blaming the credit crunch and hefty rises in fuel bills.

The airline was founded in 2001 by Scottish brothers John and Hugh Boyle and employed over 700 staff in the UK and Canada. The airline has advised passengers to contact their credit card companies for refunds and seek alternative flights with other airlines.

The Bermuda Government have given the go ahead to allow cruise ships to operate casinos while docked in port. The concession is part of a wider plan to increase the competitiveness of the island as a major cruise destination.

Premier and Tourism Minister Dr Ewart Brown announced the decision in the House of Assembly last week. Cruise ships would also be allowed to open bars, shops, and allow entertainment while docked, all prohibited under current legislation.

The Government have defended the plans, stating that Bermuda is losing its competitive edge in the cruise market, particularly the ability to attract smaller ships capable of docking in Hamilton and St George.

Cabin tax for ships visiting Hamilton and St George has also been waived for 3 years.

Ewart Brown, Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport, has announced improved tourism statistics for 2007. Total visitor arrivals were 663,767, up 3.4% on 2006. 305,548 visitors arrived by air (up 2.2%) while 354,024 (up 5.3%) came by cruise ship. Hotel occupancy rates rose to 67.1%, compared to 63.8% in 2006.

He also emphasized that with cruise ships moving from Hamilton to Dockyard in 2008 there would be a significant reduction in the number of cruise arrivals during the transition period.

The Bermuda Historical Society Museum has closed for upgrades and will reopen in March. The existing collection will be enhanced by new exhibits that reflect the history of all segments of Bermudian society. The museum has been criticised in the past for focusing on the history of the island’s white population.

The Progressive Labour Party won a third term in office yesterday after a bitterly-fought general election. Premier Ewart Brown’s party beat the opposing United Bermuda Party, winning 24 of the 36 seats in the House of Assembly.

Governor Sir John Vereker has announced he will quit is post at the end of 2007. His replacement, arriving in December, will be Sir Richard Gozney, currently British High Commissioner in Nigeria.

Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport Dr Ewart Brown announced a pretty impressive set of tourism statistics for the first quarter of 2007. Speaking at the Fairmont Southampton yesterday he revealed that total arrivals were up 23 percent to 45,825 compared to the same period last year. Hotel occupancy rates also showed a healthy increase, rising by 21 percent.

Bermuda International Airport has been renamed LF Wade International Airport in honour of the late PLP leader L. Freddie Wade. A ceremony held at the airport on Monday to mark the change was attended by Premier Ewart Brown and Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley.

A cruise for gay and lesbian families organised by chat show host Rosie O’Donnell has cut Bermuda from its itinerary because of fears of protests by local church groups. R Family Vacations, a company owned by O’Donnell’s partner Kelli O’Donnell, said on its website, ‘we feel that our cruise would be more enjoyable with an alternate itinerary to ports where we know we are welcome by everyone.’ In 2004 a similar cruise to Nassau was met by protesters chanting anti-gay slogans.

Bermuda’s tourist information centres have been renamed and their operations handed over to private companies. Management of the Visitor Information Centres, previously known as Visitor Service Bureau, has been transferred from the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce to three private operators; BermyNet, Café Latte and TMM Visitor Services.