Bermuda - Essential

Ewart Brown, Premier of Bermuda, today congratulated Phil Mickelson on winning his third Masters Tournament. With his three stroke victory over Lee Westwood, Mickelson has earned the honour of donning the coveted Green Jacket and secured an invitation to the 2010 PGA Grand Slam of Golf to be held in Bermuda.

Premier Brown said, “This was a fantastic Masters…..a golfer’s dream finish. Phil Mickelson played a wonderful round and deserved to win his third Green Jacket. For Bermuda and the PGA Grand Slam, the outcome could be hugely positive considering Phil’s immense popularity. In my meetings with the PGA here in Augusta, they were very upbeat about this year’s Grand Slam and I am hopeful that we will negotiate an extension of our agreement.”

The 2010 PGA Grand Slam of Golf will return to the Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda, October 18-20, where Lucas Glover posted a five-stroke triumph over Angel Cabrera in last year’s meeting of major champions.

Bermuda is turning up the heat with its new Sizzling Summer Promotion, offering up to $600 in resort credit based on room nights booked. Guests receive a $600 credit when booking a six night stay, $500 credit when booking a five-night stay and $400 credit when booking a four-night stay.

The Department of Tourism teamed up with the Bermuda Hotel Association for this exclusive promotion, available for booking April 1 – 30 for travel May 1 – October 31, 2010.

Participating hotels include: Cambridge Beaches, Coco Reef, Elbow Beach, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Fairmont Southampton, Grape Bay Beach Hotel, Grotto Bay, Newstead Belmont Hills, 9 Beaches, Pompano, Reefs, Rosedon, Royal Palms, St. George’s Club, Surf Side, Tucker’s Point and Willowbank.

The Department Tourism is pleased to announce the appointment of the St. George’s Foundation effective April 1, 2010 as the vendor to provide visitor information services in the Town of St. George’s.

Director of Tourism Mr. William Griffith said, “Having the St. George’s Foundation manage the visitor information services in St. George’s guarantees that our visitors have a first class information experience.”

To serve the visitor better and have the VIC’s run more efficiently, there will be two Visitor Information Centre locations in St. George’s. The primary location will be The World Heritage Centre, and an additional satellite location at the Deliverance replica on Ordnance Island. Both locations will be open 10:00 am – 4:00 pm daily.

In addition to changes in the VIC operations, there will also be additional activities planned for visitors. After extensive research in North America through a series of Focus Groups, market research indicated that visitors in general are looking for more Historical and Cultural activities to see and do while on a vacation. To satisfy this need of the traveller the Department of Tourism in partnership with the Corporation of St. George’s, the St. George’s Foundation and the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce will be providing additional cultural activities in St. George’s.

Beginning April 1, history will come to life with a series of walking tours that travel the path of the Blockade Runners, explore the quaint streets of the historic town and showcases Bermuda’s artists trail and unique architectural history.

Starting April 12, visitors can see the historical ducking every day except Friday and Sunday. This entertaining, light-hearted re-enactment will be followed by lively Bermudian entertainment that will keep the energy and excitement up in King’s Square. April 27, visitors can explore the hidden treasures of St. George’s while experiencing great local entertainment and an assortment of local products at the St. George’s Market Nights.

Boston Red Sox fans will get an added touch of Bermuda’s famed pink sands this season as the team, along with New England Sports Network (NESN), announced an expanded partnership with the Department of Tourism at a press conference held today at Fenway Park.

Partnership details for 2010 were announced by William Griffith, Director of Tourism; Larry Lucchino, President and CEO of the Boston Red Sox; as well as Sean McGrail, President of NESN. Boston’s Mayor Thomas M. Menino also attended the announcement as part of his annual walk through of the fabled stadium.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with the Red Sox and NESN and once again bring a taste of Bermuda to the people of New England,” stated Griffith. “The Red Sox are one of the premier franchises in all of sports and NESN is the model of success for regional sports programming. By partnering with these two outstanding organizations we have a great opportunity to reach a large audience in one of our most important regional markets.”

As part of the expanded partnership for 2010, the Boston Red Sox will host two ‘Bermuda Nights’ at Fenway Park – the first on June 17th when they compete against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the second on August 23rd against the Seattle Mariners. The Red Sox will celebrate the Island at each ‘Bermuda Night,’ including having a Bermuda tourism representative throw out the ceremonial first pitch and a Bermudian artist sing the National Anthem. In addition, Bermuda has the opportunity to showcase cultural performers and provide branded messaging, both within the stadium and on NESN broadcasts, throughout the season.

“The Boston Red Sox are proud to renew our relationship with the Bermuda Department of Tourism,” said Lucchino. “Their commitment to our franchise, to NESN, and to Red Sox Nation is steadfast and we look forward to showcasing Bermudian sites, culture, and charm at the ballpark during our two scheduled Bermuda Nights this season.”

William Griffith, Tourism Director; Boston’s Mayor Thomas M. Menino; Larry Lucchino, President and CEO of the Boston Red Sox

In an exciting initiative from the Department of Tourism, ten of the top taxi drivers in London will be feeling the love and spreading the warmth of the Bermudian sunshine in pink taxis.

To ensure that passengers get to enjoy the full Bermuda experience, the ten lucky drivers will come to experience our Island’s pink sand beaches and crystal blue waters first hand. These drivers will return to London ready to be Bermuda’s newest ambassadors.

“This is the first time we’ve undertaken anything like this in the UK,” says William Griffith, Director of Tourism. “The British market is of significant importance to us and this year, we intend to renew our efforts and bring a little slice of our beautiful island to the UK.”

Painted pink and adorned with the phrase ‘Feel the love’ and Bermuda’s famous shorts, these taxis will bring a piece of island life to the city. The taxis will be further supported from April to June and September to November with an additional 100 taxis with the feel the love branding on the side panels.

Bermuda’s Finance Minister Paula Cox delivered the government’s budget statement for 2010/11 this morning.

The standard rate of payroll tax will increase by 2 percent to 16 percent; the proportion payable by employees will rise 1 percent to 5.75 percent. The salary cap for payroll tax will increase from $350,000 to $750,000.

Other tax changes include a doubling of foreign currency purchase tax, a 5 percent increase in the cost of motor vehicle licences, and increases in stamp duty.

The Governor, Sir Richard Gozney, will honour 12 residents for deeds of heroism at the Bermuda Bravery Awards ceremony at Government House on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 6 pm.

In addition to a highly dangerous rescue during the high speed Round the Island Race, this year’s list features other dramatic feats, involving both young and old.

Examples include:

• The life-saving of two female cruise ship passengers caught in a dangerous rip current.
• The successful rescue of a toddler drowning in a swimming pool.
• Two Botanical Gardens workers who valiantly tried to save a co-worker by performing CPR after finding the man unconscious..
• Two boaters who risked their own lives in saving a fellow boater after his craft exploded in flames.

Since its re-birth 14 years ago, the Bermuda Bravery Award Association has recognized more than 200 individuals for bravery or life-saving.

Association president Mark Selley pointed out that his committee is not empowered to nominate names for heroism and that under the constitution of the Bermuda Bravery Award Association; all names must be submitted by members of the public.

The 12 recipients this year will receive a cedar-framed certificate from the Governor, listing their feat of heroism.

Their names were submitted by the public and emergency organizations and were judged by a cross-section of Bermudians who comprise the Bermuda Bravery Awards Association.

The Bermuda Bravery Awards Association was re-formed in 1995 after lying dormant for a number of years. Its mission is to establish a more positive and caring approach to recognizing those who go above and beyond the call of duty in helping others during life-threatening situations.

Copies of award proposal forms are available from Mark Selley.

For further information call Mark Selley on 334-8487 or 293-3121.

The Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) is advising that the Island will experience severe and unsettled weather conditions over the course of tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday.

Late this afternoon, the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) met to discuss public safety precautions. Residents are advised that starting late Wednesday morning, wind and rain will steadily increase throughout the day and into the evening.

It is anticipated that throughout Wednesday the Island will experience wind gusts over 50 knots.

Severe weather will continue into Thursday, and the Island can expect to experience storm force winds, gusting to hurricane force, until around midday on Thursday.

The public is advised that the Causeway remains open. At the onset of the severe conditions, the Causeway will be closely monitored by the Bermuda Police Service and the Ministry of Works and Engineering.

All Government offices will be open for business on Wednesday morning.

In the interest of public safety the Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, Sen. the Hon. Lt. Col. David Burch encourages all motorists, particularly cyclists to use “extreme caution” over the next two days when moving about the Island.

Additionally, residents are being advised to secure all boats, as well as outdoor furniture, garbage bins and any other items that could be blown about by the wind.

The public will be updated regularly throughout Wednesday and Thursday on further weather related developments.

To get the latest weather updates and advisories this weekend the public is encouraged to visit www.weather.bm or watch the local weather station on CableVision channel 4 or WOW channel 100. Alternatively members of the public can call the following numbers:

• For the Public Forecast Dial 977
• For the Current Observation Dial 9771
• For the Marine Forecast Dial 9772
• For latest Warnings & Tropical Information Dial 9773

Premier Ewart Brown and Mrs Brown were the official honoured guests last evening as HRH Prince Khaled bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud hosted the Third Annual Khalediah Horse Show outside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Prince, who owns the Elbow Beach hotel, is an avid horse breeder and owns more than 1000 Arabian horses around the world.

“Wanda and I were honoured to have been invited by His Royal Highness to this important event. Prince Khaled reminded us of his long association with Bermuda and seemed excited about the future of Elbow Beach,” Premier Brown said.

The horse show will run through Friday. The Premier will have a lunch meeting with Prince Khaled on Thursday before departing for the United States on Friday.

The Bermuda Department of Tourism is delighted to announce that Bermuda has won first place for Wreck Diving and third place for both Snorkeling and Diving for Beginners in Scuba Diving magazine’s 2010 Reader’s Choice Awards.

Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport Dr. the Hon. Ewart Brown said, “We consider it an honour for Bermuda to be recognized by the readers of Scuba Diving magazine. This is also reminder to all Bermudians that we must respect and preserve our beautiful reefs and wrecks for all to enjoy.”

The survey was conducted in 2009 with over 5,000 Scuba Diving readers from all over the globe submitted their rankings.

Bermuda has over 400 historic wrecks, with some dating back to the 15th century. Popular sites include:

• The Constellation – 4-masted wooden schooner built in 1918. She sank in 1943 while en route from New York to Venezuela with a cargo that included cement, whisky, and drug ampoules. She was the inspiration for the Goliath in Peter Benchley’s novel The Deep.
• L’Herminie – French 3-masted wooden warship that sank in 1838 while sailing from France to Cuba.
• Hermes – US Navy freighter built in WWII and scuttled by the government in 1985 for use as a dive site.

Two of the best places for snorkelling in Bermuda are Church Bay in Southampton Parish and Tobacco Bay in St George’s Parish.

Tobacco Bay is shown in the video below: