Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport, Dr. the Hon. Ewart Brown said, “This is great news! Hats off to the leadership of the Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) for their stellar work. With the support of Tourism, they have produced a record number of visitors for the Race Weekend. This is what we have been looking for and we are delighted. The results are even more impressive when one considers the condition of the global economy.”
The Bermuda Department of Tourism (BDOT) partnered with Bart Yasso Chief Running Officer from Runners World; Jan Seeley the Publisher of Marathon & Beyond magazine; Skip Cleaver from coolrunnings.com; and Douglas Wakihuri, Dick Beardsley, Jay Glassman, Thom Gilligan and Brooks Johnson who are all well recognized in the running community for their work in race promotion. Dr. Joe Vigil and Andy Ferrara came to the Island to add their knowledge and expertise for the clinics held as an added value to visitors and residents.
Director of Tourism William Griffith said, “Race week is the perfect mix of sports and tourism in Bermuda. The athletes have the chance to test their skills in Bermuda’s temperate climate and scenic yet challenging terrain; while their friends and family have the opportunity to explore our premier shopping establishments, exceptional restaurants, award winning golf courses or one of our many spas. Mr. Griffith went on to say, “The partnerships BDOT has built over the years will ensure Bermuda International Race Week evolves into an event that is the envy of the world. We expect the event to be even bigger next year”
International Race Week could not happen without the strong support of the local community, the Race Weekend volunteers and additional sponsorship. In that respect, the Department of Tourism has offered their congratulations to BTFA President Ms. Donna Watson, Race Director Anthony Raynor, Race Operations Manager Clarence Smith as well as Mrs. Joanne Macphee from KPMG.
BDOT acknowledged Mr. Sid Howard, who has chosen to return to Bermuda and compete in the International Race Weekend for the 31st time. Mr. Howard and many others come back time and time again. Their commitment and dedication to this event and Bermuda has not gone unnoticed.
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.
Premier Ewart Brown issued a statement yesterday concerning issues with Bermuda’s taxi industry. Government is particularly concerned that taxi drivers are not using GPS services as required by law and have not been delivering services on public holidays such as Cup Match and Remembrance Day.
Here’s the statement in full:
Good afternoon,
Over the past few years we have been working to resolve the challenges with the taxi industry; specifically the issues with the GPS requirements.
In January 2009 we made amendments to Section 35B of the Motor Car Act:
- No person shall operate or cause or allow any other person to operate a motor taxi unless the mobile data terminal and the global positioning device that the motor taxi is required to be equipped with are in working order and are switched on.
- When a motor taxi is being operated for hire, the person who operates the motor taxi shall—
- (a) use the global positioning device for the purposes of indicating the location of the motor taxi to the taxi despatching service with which the motor taxi is registered; and
- (b) use the mobile data terminal for the purposes of receiving messages from, and sending messages to, that taxi despatching service with regard to the hiring of the motor taxi.
- Except in the case of emergency, no person who operates a motor taxi shall use any equipment other than the global positioning device and the mobile data terminal for the purposes of communication, with regard to the hiring of the motor taxi, between the motor taxi and the taxi despatching service with which the motor taxi is registered.”;
These amendments mean it is an offence not to have the GPS device switched on and in working order when operating a vehicle.
Over the Cup Match Holiday and during the Remembrance Day holiday we expressed our extreme displeasure with the calibre of service being provided by taxi operators at the airport and the ongoing complaints of lack of available taxis and non-compliance with GPS generally. At that time we said the taxi industry was forcing Government to take corrective steps.
Effective immediately taxi operators can expect Traffic Officers will be implementing more aggressive enforcement measures. Throughout Bermuda where taxis are plying for business, the Traffic Officers will be checking and verifying that taxi operators are compliant and in instances where operators are found not to be compliant the appropriate action will be taken.
In addition, Traffic Officers at Bermuda’s ports of entry who are charged with assigning taxis to passengers will not allow taxis to take passengers in instances where GPS is not switched on and in working order.
It is our goal to ensure that residents and visitors receive the best service for their transportation needs; we feel these amendments and the subsequent enforcement measures move us closer to this goal and the overall goal of general compliance with the laws of Bermuda.
One of the best known restaurants in St George has closed.
The Carriage House Restaurant & Bar is the latest victim of the economic slowdown affecting the historic town.
In 2010 only one cruise ship, the Veendam, will call at St George. It will only spend one night there and, and as announced last month, will anchor at sea rather than dock.
Today, the Ministry of Tourism and Transport announced The Holland America Line ‘Veendam’ cruise ship that had been scheduled to come into St. George and Hamilton in 2010 will not dock at Pennos’s Wharf but will instead go to anchor at Murray’s Anchorage.
Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport Ewart Brown said, “We had hoped the ‘Veendam’ would be able to navigate Town Cut and dock in St. George’s in 2010, however simulations have shown this will not be possible. This situation illustrates the challenge we have in regards to St. George’s.” The Premier went on to say, “Although the ‘Veendam’ will not physically dock in St. George’s in 2010, the tendering arrangement will still provide their guests with a St. George’s experience during their stay in Bermuda. It is often the case that cruise passengers who tender rather than dock stay longer in the destination, including having lunch and participate in activities. This also shows our commitment to keeping a cruise ship presence in St. George’s.”
The Ministry will implement a ferry service on Tuesdays from Murray’s Anchorage. The ‘Veendam’ will continue to Hamilton on Wednesdays as currently scheduled, and will depart Bermuda on Fridays. The ‘Veendam’ is scheduled to make 24 cruises to Bermuda in 2010 and will contribute an estimated $7 million to Bermuda’s economy. The ferrying from Murray’s Anchorage will be weather permitting.
In 2008, a computer simulation of the ‘Veendam’ was conducted and Holland America Line commenced with marketing and selling the twin-port Bermuda cruises. Although Holland America was confident the ‘Veendam’ could safely navigate Town Cut Channel, it was decided to conduct additional simulations of the ship. Two other simulations were conducted in July and November 2009 and it was concluded that it would be unsafe for the ‘Veendam’ to navigate Town Cut in 2010.
The Ministry is discussing specific plans with Holland America Line to ensure their cruise passengers participate in shore excursions and other activities.
Government has transferred the Casemate Barracks and its adjacent buildings and fortifications to the Bermuda Maritime Museum (BMM). The transfer creates a new National Museum of Bermuda on 15 acres of land at Royal Naval Dockyard.
Speaking of the creation of the new museum, Premier Dr. Ewart Brown said: “With a 99-year lease granted to the Museum by the West End Development Corporation, this is another example of how public / private partnerships can benefit Bermuda. Cabinet considers our 400th anniversary year an appropriate time to establish the National Museum of Bermuda.”
Mr. Robert Steinhoff, Chairman of the BMM said, “I am extremely proud of the creation of the new museum and I look forward to continuing our leadership in the preservation of our national treasures and serving Bermudians and visitors, alike.”
Dr. Edward Harris, Executive Director of the BMM, said, “The physical expansion of the Maritime Museum underscores its stature as a national institution. The Museum was established in the 10-acre Keep in 1974 and has successfully restored the great Commissioner’s House and other historic buildings of the Keep since then. I am delighted that Cabinet has acknowledged the evolution of the Maritime Museum into a National Museum.”
In addition to restoring Casemates and its associated buildings and forts, the Museum will expand its range of exhibits, and the nature of its research, publications and other programmes in order to help make Bermuda’s history and heritage accessible to the public.
In recognition of its national status, the Museum will admit local residents free of charge in December and January every year. Children will be admitted free of charge all year-round.
Glenn Jones has been announced as the new general manager of Bermuda.com Ltd.
Mr. Jones is the former press secretary to Premier Dr. Ewart Brown while Bermuda.com, one of the island’s main Internet portals, is a well-established information and business resource for visitors and locals.
Mr. Jones will manage content, introduce new features and oversee the functionality of the site with a view to increasing traffic and profitability.
He said: “I’ve worked in newspapers, television and radio but the Internet is the hottest of all mediums; I’m excited about this opportunity. I’m going to throw every ounce of my creativity into it.”
Bermuda.com comes under the MediaHouse umbrella and its sister companies include the Bermuda Sun and Island Press.
Pamela Quarterly, executive vice president of corporate operations for MediaHouse, said: “Glenn’s a wonderful fit for the MediaHouse team. He brings exuberance, experience, excitement and a ‘can-do’ spirit. Glenn is very enthusiastic and he has lots of ideas. ”
The Bermuda.com website was re-launched in July and a host of new features were added.
Mr. Jones said there is plenty of room for further growth, adding: “We have a crowded marketplace in Bermuda so the only way to make a dent is to truly stand out and be exceptional. That’s what I’m striving for; to make Bermuda.com so exceptional that people are drawn to it.”
Mr. Jones, who won an Emmy as a TV reporter in the U.S., subsequently worked as a print journalist and a morning radio personality in Bermuda. He stepped down as press secretary to the Premier in September. While in the public sector he gained a wealth of knowledge in the tourism industry working with international press, hoteliers and other tourism industry professionals in Bermuda and abroad.
Premierf Dr. Ewart Brown, who is also Minister of Tourism & Transport, said: “This is the fifth year for the Love Festival and I am more than pleased with how the event has grown over the years. The activities planned for this year are sure to entice couples to come and Feel the Love this Valentine’s weekend.”
The Bermuda International Love Festival is an annual weekend getaway flooded with romantic touches from evening cocktails and rounds of golf to great eats and dreamy serenades. It is the ultimate luxury love experience for the well-deserving couple. From February 12-14, 2010 couples will enjoy the plush accommodations and amenities of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess while being treated as preferential guests all weekend long.
This year, some of the festival’s highlights include:
• The Premier’s opening celebration featuring Robb Report’s “Best of the Best,” at the Tucker’s Point Hotel & Spa followed by a performance by The Wycliffe Gordon Quartet, hosted by Robb Report
• Men’s and women’s golf at the newly renovated Port Royal Golf Course, home of the 2009 and 2010 PGA Grand Slam of Golf, hosted by GolfWorld Magazine
• An intimate dinner party at Port O’Call Restaurant
• Brunch at The Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art
• VIP seating for a performance by Grammy award-winner, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, sponsored by the Bermuda alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated
• Private performance by R&B legend, Chuck Jackson
To top it off, couples can let their hair down at any of Bermuda’s hottest nightclubs, or simply unwind at one of Bermuda’s renowned spas.
Travel packages to the 2010 International Love Festival cost $1,600.00 per couple and include an exclusive Gold Room at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess for three nights as well as all Love Festival activities. To revive your love connection in paradise this Valentine’s Day weekend with that special someone visit www.bermudalovefestival.com.
