by Dwayne Robinson JP, MP Shadow Minister of Tourism, Culture and Transport 

The budget statement is fast approaching and despite the Opposition’s efforts, the government has not provided specific information on how the CIT receipts will be allocated.

For the benefit of Bermuda funds must be spent on training Bermudians in tourism and hospitality.

Conventions used to extend our tourism season and provided necessary income for workers and the island, yet The Progressive Labour Party Government has not made the necessary investment in this critical area. The government must focus on increasing our capacity to complement Fairmont’s inventory, which will strengthen Bermuda as it re-enters the market with enhanced capacity and tenacity. 

We also know that restaurants are one of our core hospitality offerings. They have been hit tremendously with global pressures, especially US tariffs which have raised their expenses. In an industry with such a thin profit line, these shocks can be catastrophic.

We cannot hope for Bermudians to enter an industry that feels uncertain in these dire economic times. I urge the Government to work with the industry to curate some new targeted temporary support options to help restaurant’s get back on their feet after one of their worst years.

Our hotels are also grappling with increased costs but one of the main issues cited by them is transportation. This problem is shared by locals who care nothing for the intricacies but simply want a ride from A to B. Now enters the proposed ride share solution. The population seems to support it while taxi drivers largely oppose the idea.

The Government cannot continue to divide Bermudians on this issue. Direct additional funding for increased traffic officers at TCD and improve enforcement of our transport laws. It is unwise to add a new layer to an industry that is suffering from lack of enforcement. Those who transport people around our island are crucial ambassadors and we must make sure operators are given a fair playing field.

There is also the approaching issue of our available workforce compared to what is required by the tourism/hospitality industry to function effectively. The opening of Fairmont Southampton will present 700 plus job opportunities. The industry that is already stretched finding workers will be pushed into full-fledged cannibalism.

The Government has acknowledged our workforce problem and has pledged to tackle it. However, Bermudians quietly pack up and emigrate to other jurisdictions. 

We can try to stem this tide by trying to extend our tourism season past the three Golden months. One way is by investing in our creatives and artist. This goes past tourism investment orders. We need to invest in our concert and performance venues’ infrastructure. Use some of this anticipated surplus to invest in stipend or universal basic income scheme to help our creatives sustain themselves and provide further amenities for Bermudians and tourists. Working towards enticing tourists to Bermuda on the slow season months and improving earning prospects for the industry.

We can use some of this potentially ‘once in a lifetime’ additional revenue to shore up our neglected second pillar of our economy. In the face of an evolving world our hyper dependence on International Business may yield higher profits for Government but lower jobs for Bermudians as things become more automated. Investing in our tourism industry which still requires and prefers a human touch will provide lasting benefits for the future generations.

Hospitality and tourism training to get Bermudians employed in these culturally significant positions.