Tourism: It’s not about the numbers
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eautiful, friendly Bermuda has long had a thriving tourism sector, and under the dynamic leadership of Renee Webb, who recently became Minister of Tourism and who is also Minister of Telecommunications and E-Commerce, the island is set to become an even more appealing travel destination where quality is emphasized over quantity.
Webb says she wants to see more top facilities and services that also preserve Bermuda’s unique charm. She adds, “I’m not getting into the numbers game. I don’t believe it has ever been about the numbers. It’s about the quality of tourists, making sure ours is a quality jurisdiction, ensuring that Bermudans understand how important tourism is to our economy and treating tourists accordingly. If Bermuda is seen as being crowded or, God forbid, polluted, who’s going to want to come here?”
Bermuda should put an increased emphasis on service, add another top hotel, and concentrate on providing more nightlife and events-tourism offerings, Webb believes. She says, “Bermuda is a beautiful place; it more or less sells itself in terms of its beauty and the friendliness of the people. But once you get here, how we deliver it is the question that needs to be addressed.”
The Bermuda Alliance of Tourism, the Bermuda Hotel Association, the Chamber of Commerce and other tourism organizations are working in successful partnership with the government to expand and improve on Bermuda’s tourism offerings. The Hotels Concessions Act has brought increased private-sector investment in the hotel sector, and Webb welcomes more such investment in the future. |
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| Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ) |
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he Island ’s number one tourist attraction is the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ), located in Flatts Village. Combining education, entertainment and conservation, BAMZ has been ranked by an American travel specialist as the sixth best zoo in the world, ahead of other well-known names like London Zoo in the UK.
In 1926 BAMZ was established by the Bermuda Government to support a growing tourism industry. Since then, BAMZ has grown from a small aquarium and natural history museum to an extensive collection of exhibits inspired by island environments and in the process has become a leader in environmental education and conservation. The efforts of two support agencies, the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) and the Friends of the Bermuda Aquarium (FOBA) were critical to this evolution. With a membership of 15% of all Bermuda residents, the BZS is one of the largest and most respected organizations in the community while the Friends of the Bermuda Aquarium is a smaller, more recently formed U.S.-incorporated non-profit organization. These charities share a BAMZ mission “to inspire an appreciation and care of island environments” with the BZS focusing on promoting local conservation, education and BAMZ exhibit upgrades, and FOBA serving primarily to promote U.S.-Bermuda educational collaborations. Jack A. Ward, Director of Conservation Services, has overall responsibility for the facility. Staff support is comprised of 35 government workers, 20 BZS employees and 1 FOBA employee. Additionally, there are more than 300 volunteers.
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“Discover the wealth of nature.”
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In the 1930s Vincent Astor and the New York Zoological Society donated to BAMZ Galápagos tortoises, penguins and various South American species collected on the “Nourmahal”. In 1943 the Natural History Museum was built to display specimens and historic artifacts. By the 1950s the zoo became a formal entity boasting flamingos, monkeys and assorted tropical birds. This was enhanced in the 1960s with parrots from South America. In 1985 a second floor was added to the Natural History Museum to house the Bermuda natural history specimen collection and library. Since then, BAMZ has added the North Rock Exhibit—a 140,000 coral reef tank—to highlight Bermuda’s marine environment and to further emphasize the island theme. Likewise, the Australasia and Caribbean Exhibits were added to illustrate the diversity of islands around the world.
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Jack A. Ward
Director
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Today BAMZ and BZS host over 120,000 visitors per annum, provide school classes for more that 6,000 school children and receive membership support from 4,000 households and companies. BAMZ will undergo extensive renovations in early 2003 and according to Jack Ward, These renovations will include new exhibits on the evolution of Bermuda, and our native plants and animals. We are confident that continually updating our exhibits will continue to attract high visitor numbers.”
Exit surveys show very high approval rates for visitors to BAMZ. They comment on the garden setting, modern exhibits and interactive features that entertain and educate both children and adults. BAMZ is committed to inspiring appreciation of and care for island environments, both through its animal habitat exhibits and its related conservation, education and research programs. BAMZ runs an 18-week Bermuda Natural History Course, for example, that is oversubscribed every year.
Ward says that Bermuda is a safe and accessible place with sophisticated infrastructure. He encourages visitors and locals alike to enjoy what BAMZ has to offer. We have a wealth of culture, history and natural history here in a small, beautiful package, he explains. BAMZ is the place to come to, to orient yourself, and discover the wealth of nature.” |
| Ariel Sands Beach Club |
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he spectacular Ariel Sands Beach Club has arguably the best location on the island. Situated just ten minutes from Hamilton on its own private beach, it has been a luxury resort since 1954. Ariel Sands became part of the prestigious Bermuda Collection in 1997 – a listing of the island’s best hotels – and received a “Top 10” award in Travel and Leisure magazine’s World’s Best Awards 2002. |
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“Bermuda is a safe and sophisticated destination.”
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An exclusive cottage colony owned by the Dill family, one of Ariel Sands’ more famous shareholders is Michael Douglas. Ongoing renovations have updated many of the 47 rooms, three suites and two cottages, as well as adding a beach bar, the Aqua restaurant, and a high-end spa with four treatment rooms and a hair salon. Ariel constructed a conference center for up to 80 persons some four years ago.In 2003, 12 condos will be built on the property, on the market for around US$ 2.5 million each.
Ariel Sands has always combined style, elegance, and a typically Bermudan flair. Its Club House has a lounge, bar and terrace, and serves complimentary afternoon tea every day. There is a heated freshwater pool, as well as two natural ocean-fed lap pools, two tennis courts, a gym, an outdoor hot tub, volleyball, and snorkel and moped rental.
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John O’Brien
General Manager
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| With around 65% leisure and 35% business clients, Ariel Sands is perfect as a vacation or conference and incentive destination. “Bermuda is a beautiful British colony, which is safer than any other island in this part of the world,” says General Manager John O’Brien. CCM “Ariel Sands also has the Aqua restaurant – the hottest place to eat in Bermuda.” |
Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ) (back)
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Feed your brain!
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