The following article appeared in Travel Weekly following Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell's visit to New York City late last week to meet with the New York Tourism Office.

By Gay Nagle Myers, 24 January 2013

Elections in Bermuda in December brought about a change in political parties, a new premier in Craig Cannonier, and a new tourism team that has its work cut out for it.



In recent years, Bermuda's tourism industry has faltered as visitor numbers flagged and hotel development stalled, two areas that Shawn Crockwell, the new minister of tourism development and transport, intends to address right out of the gate.



"It is my goal to help tourism grow and flourish now and into the future," Crockwell said at his swearing-in ceremony in Hamilton on Jan. 3.



Overall tourist arrivals dropped 2.7% in Q3 2012, with cruise traffic taking an 8% hit over the same period in 2011, according to government figures.



Statistics compiled by the Caribbean Tourism Organization from January through June 2012 showed a 4% overall visitor drop in air and cruise arrivals, with the U.S. and Europe down 5.8% and 7.8%, respectively. 



To reverse these trends, Crockwell will have the help of the new Tourism Authority, a private-sector organization he formed that will be composed of tourism industry professionals. 


24 January 2013

In a statement, Mr Moniz said “Today I am pleased to announce that a decision has been made regarding the West End Development Corporations (WEDCo’s) infrastructure and housing project in Dockyard. The project has been modified from its original scope and will now retain the historic Victoria and Albert Row buildings while also meeting the Government’s mandate of reducing Government spending.

“While we were members of the Opposition, we had vigorously campaigned against the housing project because we believed there was little justification for an additional 100 new housing units to be introduced to a market which already had a surplus of empty apartments.

“However, taking into consideration that the project was already well advanced – with significant costs and commitments already authorized, the Ministry of Public Works has made the decision to immediately stop further production of any new units.

“To date there are approximately 32 pre-fabricated units completed by the manufacturer. Of the 32 units, 16 apartments (or 4 new structures) are to be erected on the property near to the front of the Albert Row building. The tenants of Victoria and Albert Row will be relocated between the 16 new units as well as at other WEDCo accommodations.

By Thad Hollis, Chairman of the One Bermuda Alliance, responding to Department of Statistics analysis on emigration from Bermuda, January 24, 2013

The OBA was aware of the so-called brain drain over the past decade, which built steadily toward the 2007-09 high point.  



The brain drain was  one of the reasons our leader Craig Cannonier chose to use his swearing in ceremony at Government House the day after the election to urge Bermudians living abroad to “come back to us…. to build the better Bermuda we know we can build.”



Mr. Cannonier, as new Premier, issued the call because Bermuda needs its ‘best and brightest’ now more than ever.



The OBA’s primary focus during the election was to put forward a programme to re-start the economy to restore job growth but also to reverse a near decade-long narrowing of economic opportunity that had caused so many Bermudians to leave the Island.



The foundation of OBA’s election platform – opportunity, inclusion, responsibility, fairness and service – was geared to respond to this situation; to help Bermuda create a favorable environment that provides people with the jobs and opportunity they need to provide for their families and live productive lives.



One of the most disturbing statistics released today was the high percentage of young Bermudian degree holders who had left the Island for opportunities abroad. That one statistic – 83% of emigrant degree holders were under 35 of age– underscores the seriousness of the ‘brain drain’ threat to Bermuda’s long-term well-being.