I think I will leave it at the youtube reference...
I think the sound does wonders for the event... Especially the one where these guys are talking for a good 3 minutes before hand - it cracks me up. I may have to use that as my reference when people ask me what type of accent Bermudians have...
Happy Friday!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
End of an Error
So the old Club Med was imploded on Monday. I have to laugh because ever since I started visiting the island in 1991 it has been called the "old Club Med"... I have to wonder, when in the world was it really a Club Med?
I am going to have to go through some old photo albums to see if I have any shots of the hotel from Fort St. Catherines from some of my earlier visits.
I know I have friends that were out there for the implosion... Maybe someone will send me some pics? :) And I can post one or two... Or not...
I have never been to a building implosion. They imploded the old convention center here a few years back. But I didn't have the time to trek that way to see it. Probably won't make my list of things to do in this lifetime. But hey - you never know...
Ahh - the wonders of the internet... I just "googled" Club Med Implosion Bermuda and found a whole bunch on YouTube
They are all pretty neat... especially the series of big bangs before the building starts to move...
I am going to have to go through some old photo albums to see if I have any shots of the hotel from Fort St. Catherines from some of my earlier visits.
I know I have friends that were out there for the implosion... Maybe someone will send me some pics? :) And I can post one or two... Or not...
I have never been to a building implosion. They imploded the old convention center here a few years back. But I didn't have the time to trek that way to see it. Probably won't make my list of things to do in this lifetime. But hey - you never know...
Ahh - the wonders of the internet... I just "googled" Club Med Implosion Bermuda and found a whole bunch on YouTube
They are all pretty neat... especially the series of big bangs before the building starts to move...
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
In the Headlines...
Charlotte and more duty free mooted as tourism falters
By Elizabeth Roberts
Round the table: L.F. Wade International Airport general manager Aaron Adderley addresses last Friday's tourism summit convened by Premier Brown, Minister of Tourism and Transport.
Tourism chiefs have brainstormed ways to combat the effects of the global economic downturn.
The resulting ideas included increasing the availability of duty-free shopping and a greater focus on luring visitors from New York and North Carolina.
At the close of Friday's summit Premier and Minister of Tourism Ewart Brown told the 20 attendees: "The energetic commitment of everyone at this table is clear and undeniable."
The Department of Tourism sent representatives, along with the Hotel Association, Alliance for Tourism, Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Airport Operations.
According to Dr. Brown's press secretary Glenn Jones, short, mid and long term tourism strategies were discussed. The meeting came after a warning from Dr. Brown earlier this month that Bermuda faces three lean years as the global recession bites.
Overall visitor arrivals slipped by more than four percent in the first six months of this year compared to 2007. Visitors from the US were down more than 14 percent. Total air arrivals dropped ten percent.
The slowdown was also reflected in spending figures. The Department of Tourism estimated visitors spent between $58 and 75 million in the second quarter of this year compared to $77-80 million last year.
"Increased marketing presence in the New York market was among the solutions the summit agreed to action in the short term. More visitors come from New York than any other market. It is believed there is potential for more visitors from that market, particularly between November and March," said Mr. Jones.
"Increased availability of duty free shopping for visitors was among the solutions the summit agreed to action in the mid-term. The Chamber of Commerce reports some of its retailers have already begun talks with the Ministry of Finance to increase this tourism-specific offering. Post-visit research indicates this is one area Bermuda visitors would like to see more options."
Mr. Jones said participants agreed to investigate Charlotte, North Carolina, as a year-round market to pull visitors from in the long term.
"Charlotte is within 90 minutes of Bermuda and is the number six fastest growing city in the United States with a mean household income of $97,000. Population in Charlotte is projected to grow from 1.6 million today to 4.8 million by 2028, it was revealed at the summit. At present there is seasonal air service between Bermuda and Charlotte," said Mr. Jones.
He added that other potential strategies, particularly as they relate to Canada and the UK, would not be discussed publicly until more research could be done and more consultation could be conducted. Those inquiries and talks will begin straight away.
Dr. Brown said: "From the moment we started the summit people came to the table with solid ideas. We were able to immediately gauge feedback from our industry partners and agree on a way forward. I think everyone around the table would agree we made some progress today."
John Harvey, of the Hotel Association, said: "This was a very productive meeting. The Premier recommended we meet like this quarterly and all of us were on board with that. It's important that we are on the same page as we deal with these economic conditions affecting travel."
It would be great if they could talk USAir into doing year round direct flights!!! And hey maybe they could bump the cost down a bit too... However with the shopping around here - they may find the opposite happens - providing another city for shopping off the island. I guess we shall just have to wait and see.
By Elizabeth Roberts
Round the table: L.F. Wade International Airport general manager Aaron Adderley addresses last Friday's tourism summit convened by Premier Brown, Minister of Tourism and Transport.
Tourism chiefs have brainstormed ways to combat the effects of the global economic downturn.
The resulting ideas included increasing the availability of duty-free shopping and a greater focus on luring visitors from New York and North Carolina.
At the close of Friday's summit Premier and Minister of Tourism Ewart Brown told the 20 attendees: "The energetic commitment of everyone at this table is clear and undeniable."
The Department of Tourism sent representatives, along with the Hotel Association, Alliance for Tourism, Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Airport Operations.
According to Dr. Brown's press secretary Glenn Jones, short, mid and long term tourism strategies were discussed. The meeting came after a warning from Dr. Brown earlier this month that Bermuda faces three lean years as the global recession bites.
Overall visitor arrivals slipped by more than four percent in the first six months of this year compared to 2007. Visitors from the US were down more than 14 percent. Total air arrivals dropped ten percent.
The slowdown was also reflected in spending figures. The Department of Tourism estimated visitors spent between $58 and 75 million in the second quarter of this year compared to $77-80 million last year.
"Increased marketing presence in the New York market was among the solutions the summit agreed to action in the short term. More visitors come from New York than any other market. It is believed there is potential for more visitors from that market, particularly between November and March," said Mr. Jones.
"Increased availability of duty free shopping for visitors was among the solutions the summit agreed to action in the mid-term. The Chamber of Commerce reports some of its retailers have already begun talks with the Ministry of Finance to increase this tourism-specific offering. Post-visit research indicates this is one area Bermuda visitors would like to see more options."
Mr. Jones said participants agreed to investigate Charlotte, North Carolina, as a year-round market to pull visitors from in the long term.
"Charlotte is within 90 minutes of Bermuda and is the number six fastest growing city in the United States with a mean household income of $97,000. Population in Charlotte is projected to grow from 1.6 million today to 4.8 million by 2028, it was revealed at the summit. At present there is seasonal air service between Bermuda and Charlotte," said Mr. Jones.
He added that other potential strategies, particularly as they relate to Canada and the UK, would not be discussed publicly until more research could be done and more consultation could be conducted. Those inquiries and talks will begin straight away.
Dr. Brown said: "From the moment we started the summit people came to the table with solid ideas. We were able to immediately gauge feedback from our industry partners and agree on a way forward. I think everyone around the table would agree we made some progress today."
John Harvey, of the Hotel Association, said: "This was a very productive meeting. The Premier recommended we meet like this quarterly and all of us were on board with that. It's important that we are on the same page as we deal with these economic conditions affecting travel."
It would be great if they could talk USAir into doing year round direct flights!!! And hey maybe they could bump the cost down a bit too... However with the shopping around here - they may find the opposite happens - providing another city for shopping off the island. I guess we shall just have to wait and see.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Two Different Worlds
So I stayed up late to watch the women's gymnastics on Thursday night. I beleive I was up to a little after 1pm. WAY late for me. I was so sucked in by the performances and the competition. It was great to watch.
On Friday morning they interviewed the two girls - Nastia is 18 and Shawn is 16. They did so well in the interview. They were so well spoken. It made me proud to have them up there representing my country and gymnastics.
And then I arrive to work. One of the things I do on a fairly regular basis is look at the Bermuda news on the Royal Gazette web-site. Their news? Their latest story on a 16 year old girl? Well she was just arrested along with 4 teenage boys for allegedly stabbing an 18 year old boy to death this past Saturday. And when I read further as to what they had on their possession as presumed weapons it just made me ill.
Let's hope more role models of the olympics make the news and inspire the younger generations to do great things... Because the other news is just too horrific and sad.
And on a positive note, I see the Bermudian equestrian may be going to the finals. Now that would be cool.
On Friday morning they interviewed the two girls - Nastia is 18 and Shawn is 16. They did so well in the interview. They were so well spoken. It made me proud to have them up there representing my country and gymnastics.
And then I arrive to work. One of the things I do on a fairly regular basis is look at the Bermuda news on the Royal Gazette web-site. Their news? Their latest story on a 16 year old girl? Well she was just arrested along with 4 teenage boys for allegedly stabbing an 18 year old boy to death this past Saturday. And when I read further as to what they had on their possession as presumed weapons it just made me ill.
Let's hope more role models of the olympics make the news and inspire the younger generations to do great things... Because the other news is just too horrific and sad.
And on a positive note, I see the Bermudian equestrian may be going to the finals. Now that would be cool.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Bermewjan Vurds
Hey look it's an electronic version of my bathroom reader...
http://www.chitchat.bm/entry/chitchat/bvurds.html
You just have to laugh.
http://www.chitchat.bm/entry/chitchat/bvurds.html
You just have to laugh.
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