As I address you, we are just over 24 hours away from experiencing the beginning of what is expected to be the ferocious impact of Hurricane Igor.

We have all heard the reports from the Bermuda Weather Service that this storm will be a long and punishing one and the potential for injury and physical damage is great.

It is my sincere hope that you and your families take the remainder of today to finalise your hurricane preparations, by securing your homes, your property and ensuring that you have adequate supplies.

Earlier this morning the Emergency Measures Organisation met to get the latest update on Hurricane Igor and the status of preparations by the security forces and essential services.

I want to take this opportunity to assure the people of Bermuda that your Government is doing everything possible to ensure our preparedness prior to and post the storm.

There is no doubt that in the immediate aftermath of the storm, there will be a heightened level of activity with members of the public wishing to check on the wellbeing of their friends and family, and the status of their property.

I want to caution you though, that this will be a critical period of assessment by our Emergency Services personnel, such as Fire, Police and the Bermuda Regiment.

From a public safety stand point I am urging members of the public to refrain from travelling the roads to explore any damage that may have been caused. It will be imperative that a full assessment by our emergency teams is done as quickly as possible.

Let me take a few minutes to touch on some very critical points that residents should be aware of as the storm approaches.

• By late Sunday night, the worst of the storm will begin. It will be at its closest point of approach at 2:00 am Monday morning. We can expect sustained winds of up 90 knots and potential gusts of 110 knots.

The L. F. Wade International Airport is currently open, but it is anticipated that it will close late Saturday afternoon. It is expected to reopen on Monday following an assessment of the runway and the airport facility by the Department of Airport Operations.

• Weather conditions around the Causeway are being monitored. It is anticipated, that in accordance with established protocol, closure of the Causeway will be coincident with the onset of 50 knot Easterly winds. Currently that is forecast for Sunday afternoon. Once a decision is made to close the Causeway, the public will be notified in advance of its closure.

• Residents in low lying areas and who live along the water should be prepared for storm surge flooding and have already been contacted to make the necessary preparations to secure their properties.

• The Ministry of Culture & Social Rehabilitation has prepared and equipped the emergency shelter at CedarBridge Academy. As of 5:00 pm today (Friday), members of the public seeking shelter can begin making their way to this facility.

• The KEMH has reported all is in readiness. The Lambe Foggo Urgent Care Centre will be operational. Nurses and a physician will be on duty at the facility. KEMH ambulances will also be stationed at the facility. The St. John Ambulance Brigade is also deploying an ambulance in St. George.

• Hotels and guest properties are in hurricane preparedness mode and have contingency plans in place. The Bermuda Department of Tourism is monitoring the approaching storm and is continuously liaising with the Bermuda Hotel Association to ensure that visitors have the latest information.

• The Government’s Emergency Assistance Organisation (EAO) will be ready to assist once the storm has passed. Please call the EAO at 292-6325 or 292-6339, should you require emergency help after the storm.

• The Bermuda Electric Light Company and the telecommunications companies have contingency plans in place to begin restoring service following the passage of the storm should that be necessary.

• There is a partial embodiment of elements of the Bermuda Regiment, and those soldiers are asked to report to Warwick Camp as ordered on Sunday. All remaining soldiers should be on standby for possible embodiment after the storm.

• The Bermuda Reserve Police are on standby for embodiment.

• The Emergency Broadcast station at 100.1 FM is the official source for information regarding the Hurricane as necessary just prior to, during and after the storm.

• The EMO will meet again on Monday after the passing of the storm to further update the public on any developments.

• The Ministry of Education wishes to advise that all Government Schools will be closed on Monday during the storm and Tuesday to allow a full assessment of schools prior to reopening.

• At this stage Government Offices will close on Monday.

• Government House has advised that a Royal Navy frigate will be on standby off Bermuda during the storm and will enter port following to lend assistance.

Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to commend the residents on their strength of spirit and courage, during what can easily be described as a challenging time for our Country. I also want to commend – you – the media for providing balanced and accurate information on this storm and encouraging our residents to take the threat seriously.

In recent years, we have witnessed the awesome power of Mother Nature and the devastation that hurricanes inflict on countries and communities.

None of us will soon forget Hurricane Katrina which devastated New Orleans and areas along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and South Florida in 2005.

Closer to home, we’ve experienced our own challenges with the unforgettable Hurricane Emily – 24 years ago and Hurricane Fabian in 2003.

Following each of these disasters, we came together as one to assist in rebuilding our communities.

And it is my genuine belief, that should we sustain serious damage in the wake of this storm, we will rally together once again to ensure that our Island is up and running as swiftly as possible.

It is also in this spirit of unity that I ask you to be mindful of your neighbors, seniors in particular and look out for one another during this testing time for our Island.

I would now like to invite Dr. Guishard to the podium to provide you with specifics on the weather.

Thank you.

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.

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

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.

Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport Dr. the Hon. Ewart Brown, JP, MP said, “Although snow caused some flight cancellations in the US and prevented many couples from attending, the visitors that were able to get here had a great time. I have to say that this year was one of the best!”

The weekend’s activities kicked off with a Welcome Reception, hosted by the Premier and the Best of the Best Awards, sponsored by Robb Report at the Tucker’s Point Club. The Wycliffe Gordon Quartet’s rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In” was a big hit with attendees.

The weekend wind and rain disrupted some of the planned outdoor activities however the quick-thinking Love Marshals saved the day, arranging a tour to the Crystal Caves and offering movie tickets to the romantic comedy, Valentine’s Day. Saturday night guests enjoyed a private dinner at the Port O’Call restaurant and then were whisked away on the Love Buses to the Fairmont Southampton to be serenaded by local entertainers and R&B crooner Babyface at the Kappa Valentine Night.

On Sunday afternoon, Love Festival attendees were treated to brunch at Masterworks with entertainment by Bermuda songbird, Toni Robinson. The Premier and his wife, Wanda Henton Brown honoured two couples who have attended the Love Festival each year since its inception five years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Ross Tuzo, a local couple, have been married for sixty years, said they have a great time every year. Mr. and Mrs. Mikan vanZanten flew all the way from Holland the first year of the festival and have since moved to New York City, but they make sure the Love Festival stays in their travel plans as this weekend coincides with their wedding anniversary.

Sunday night was for lovers only and guests dined in the Harbourview Ballroom at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess on an exquisite meal especially prepared by the chef for Valentine’s Day. Guests were treated to a romantic dessert collection prepared by the ‘Chef of Love’ Jernard Wells. The evening ended with entertainment by legendary baritone legend, Chuck Jackson and guests danced the night away to hits such as ‘Any Day Now’ and ‘I don’t want to Cry’.

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.

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:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbRKQdu7S9Q

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.

‘Quincy Jones and Friends’ will be staged over three days from October 29 to 31 2009 at the Bermuda Maritime Museum, Royal Naval Dockyard. On the final night there will be a special performance of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, 25 years after the best-selling album of all-time was first produced by Quincy Jones.

During this historic weekend of performances, Bermuda’s Premier Ewart Brown will honour Quincy Jones’ lifetime contributions to culture and humanity with the African Diaspora Heritage Trail Award. Jones changed the way music and philanthropy interacts through his star-studded collaboration We Are the World, the best-selling single of all time. Produced and arranged by Quincy Jones, this single raised $63 million for Ethiopian Famine Relief and shined a much-needed spotlight on the Ethiopian drought.

He continues his worldwide philanthropic efforts through music, in collaboration with institutions such as Harvard University, entertainers including Bono and Oprah Winfrey, and through his personal foundation, The Quincy Jones Foundation.

Quincy Jones said, ‘It is my distinct honour to receive the African Diaspora Award from Premier Brown and the people of Bermuda and to join with them to celebrate the beauty and wonder of Bermuda during the 14th Annual Bermuda Music Festival. The line-up of artists that we have assembled for this year’s festival are some of the most talented performers of their generation and, like me, understand and respect the diverse musical and spiritual influences that are reflected in Bermuda’s rich cultural history. I promise that this year’s festival will be one that you definitely will not want to miss. It’s going to be hot.’

The Bermuda Music Festival, sponsored by the Bermuda Department of Tourism, broke all attendance records last year when Beyoncé and Alicia Keys performed on the island.

This October, the Festival will take its musical presentation to another level by showcasing the many talents of living legend Quincy Jones, a 27-time Grammy Award winner, with a record 79 Grammy nominations. The prolific Jones will conduct, arrange and perform with artists who share his passions, many of whom he has mentored or guided at different points in their careers.

The line-up, like Quincy’s own career, mixes a broad variety of talent, range and style. The elite group of musicians share both musical roots and, in some cases personal ties, with the man who has collaborated with talents as diverse as Frank Sinatra, Will Smith and Ella Fitzgerald. The 2009 Bermuda Music Festival artists, with over 45 Grammys between them, are:

• Patti Austin – A beloved singer and member of Quincy’s extended family, Patti has worked with Quincy since she was 4 years old.
• Erykah Badu – Acclaimed, multiple Grammy Award winner.
• James Ingram – Versatile soul musician and acclaimed vocalist.
• Wyclef Jean – A multi-platinum Haitian-American musician, actor, producer and social entrepreneur.
• John Legend – Six-time Grammy award winner, recording artist, musician and actor.
• Michael McDonald – Michael is known around the world as a founding member of both the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan.
• Kenny Rogers – One of the first four artists to appear in We Are the World, the best-selling single of all time, produced by Quincy Jones.
• Naturally Seven – An innovative R&B music group with a distinctive cappella style.

The artists will perform with an international orchestra, assembled by Quincy and comprised of some of the music world’s most respected talents.

Tickets for the Music Festival are on sale now, and are available are available from BermudaTix ticketing centres (iStore, Reid Street, Hamilton & Fabulous Fashions, Heron Bay Plaza).

Bermuda Tourism’s marketing partnership with the Deutsche Bank Championship is part of the same agreement that brought together Bermuda and the Boston Red Sox.

“Golf has always been a major part of our effort to attract visitors, but now with Port Royal ready for action and the Grand Slam returning Golf and Spa Season is more crucial than ever,” said Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, Minister of Tourism and Transport.

Golf and spa season is generally described as November to March.

On Thursday, September 3rd, during the pro-am round of the Deutsche Bank Championship, Bermuda Tourism will co-sponsor a hole-in-one contest with Tucker’s Point Hotel & Spa. If a player hits a hole-in-one on the par 3 eighth hole that player and three friends will win a full year of weekend golf getaways to Bermuda. The winner’s foursome will play at Tucker’s Point Golf Club and stay at the Tucker’s Point Hotel & Spa. A full year is defined as up to 52 weekends and includes airfare.

Premier Brown is scheduled to play in the pro-am. He said: “The prize is designed to remind people that Bermuda is so close to the U.S. east coast you can hop on a plane in the morning and be on the course by lunchtime. You can do it every weekend and never get tired of it. I don’t know if anyone will get the prize, but I know everyone will get the message.”

Bermuda is about two hours from most major cities in the northeast United States.

Between September 3rd and September 7th a Department of Tourism team from the New York office will be on-hand to capture data from golf fans, answer questions about Bermuda vacations and give away incentive prizes.

On the final day of the Championship, Labour Day, Bermuda Tourism will host a hospitality area near the 16th green for Bermuda Tourism industry partners.