The post Silver linings amid the gloom for tourism appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>Health and safety a key attraction for Bermuda
by Jonathan Kent
Tourism faces a long and rocky road back to normality. A sector important for the jobs it provides and supports, and the foreign currency it brings in, was chopped off at the knees with the three-month airport closure and the sudden and complete loss of cruise ships.
Hotels and tourism-reliant businesses were shut down, thousands were laid off and many made redundant. Air arrivals have gradually picked up since the airport reopened in July, but a second wave of the virus in the US and Britain has caused the temporary suspension of the British Airways flight.
Cruise ships have been absent from April onwards, causing pain to the taxi and minibus drivers, retailers and tour operators who rely on them. In the last three quarters of 2019, Bermuda welcomed more than half a million cruise visitors, this year there have been none over the same period.
To say it’s been a tough year would be an understatement. But Glenn Jones, interim chief executive officer of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, says the mood in the industry has been lifted by Bermuda’s relative success in controlling the virus.
“Talking to them about where we are versus our competitors gives them a lot of optimism,” Mr Jones said. “Tourism is going to recover. This is a matter of how long does it take and how many tourism businesses can sustain themselves for that length of time.
“Our tourism recovery started in July and hasn’t regressed. Every month has been a positive step forward. Some of our competi- tors still haven’t opened up, or have opened up and had to shut down again.
“The recovery will still be longer than 12 months, for sure, but I think we’re going to get to a period that feels like recovery much faster than our competitors. And I hope that means we will lose a lot fewer businesses along the way.”
Based on what we know today, Mr Jones said a full recovery was unlikely before 2022, although much could change in the mean- time.
The BTA interim CEO said Bermuda’s health and safety record is a “differentiator” that leads the conversation with travellers, and which had produced spin-off benefits already, particularly in sports tourism as organisers seek safe venues.
In October the island hosted sailing events, the Bermuda Gold Cup and a World Match Racing Tour event, rescued by coming to Ber- muda. The Bermuda Championship was the first PGA Tour event to welcome spectators since the onset of the pandemic. And then there was the bonus of the World Tens Series rugby event.
“We were not even on their radar,” Mr Jones said. “We spoke to an organiser who said they had basically searched every con- tinent to find a place where they could hold the event. Bermuda was one of the few places where it was possible to do it safely, so they came here. They had a very good experience and they’re already talking to us about poten- tially coming back next year.”
Among next year’s sporting events will be the World Triathlon Series season-ending event in October and a potential spring US Tennis Foundation event. Also, confirmed only this week, is SailGP’s season-starting in April. The event will feature the same 50ft catamarans used in the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda.
Eight teams – Australia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States – will stay on the island for a four-week training camp ahead of the April 24-25 races on the Great Sound in the Bermuda Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess.
SailGP will be a huge draw to the big-spending superyacht crowd, a top BTA target. Mr Jones said: “We know this group is attracted to events and when they come, they stay for weeks longer – we saw this during the America’s Cup. This is a thrilling opportunity that not only offers Bermuda significant eco- nomic stimulus and international exposure outside the summer months, but also presents local business opportunities and community engagement benefits for our young people.”
Airlift, crucial to tourism’s success, has gradually been recovering since the airport reopened. Flights to Bermuda in July had only 10 per cent of the seats available for the same month in 2019, 20 per cent in August, 23 per cent in September and 33 per cent in October.
“Having that steady increase is giving us a steady pathway to recovery,” he said. Howev- er, Mr Jones is concerned by the prospects for winter airlift, as a result of the suspension of the BA flight and US airlines focusing on only the most popular routes.
At the end of March next year, BA will switch to Heathrow from Gatwick for its Lon- don-Bermuda service, something that would improve links to Europe, Mr Jones said.
Hotel room inventory will also influence airlift in the year to come. In April, the new St Regis Hotel in St George’s is due to open, the same month as the Rosedon reopens its doors. The new Bermudiana Beach Resort will open in July. Elbow Beach is expected to reopen, but the date has not been determined.
This activity will help to offset the more than 600 rooms that have been lost from the closure of the Fairmont Southampton, the island’s largest hotel, for a $100 million overhaul.
Mr Jones has mixed emotions about that, sad at the hundreds of workers impacted, concerned about the impact on airlift, but excited by the prospect of the refurbished hotel reopening in 2022.
“It’s the number one groups and con- ventions hotel,” Mr Jones said. “Perhaps the best time to take a pause is when groups and conventions are taking a pause. For that to be coming back online in April 2022, around the time the conventions season restarts, would actually be tremendous. Those planners look for new places to go.”
Another consequence of the closure is that smaller properties become more competitive in the absence of the Fairmont. “If you are Cambridge Beaches, The Reefs, or Newstead, the fact that you aren’t, at this moment, com- peting with the Fairmont Southampton, puts you in a stronger position than if you were,” Mr Jones said.
With regard to cruise ships, Mr Jones said the BTA has been working with health offi- cials to work out what the Bermuda standard will be for arriving passengers and he wants the island to remain ahead of the curve. “We should sort out with stakeholders like the Government and Wedco how we should open safely. If we do that now and get finished within the next 60 or 90 days, it puts us in the driver’s seat to tell the cruise industry, this is how Bermuda is going to do it safely, can you meet this standard?”
April 1 “feels right” as a potential re- sumption date, he added. Much depends on adherence to the framework developed by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, under which cruise lines will eventually be able to resume passenger voyages with strict health protocols.
Inspiring residents to take “staycations” was part of the BTA’s “inside-out” marketing strategy to help hotels stay afloat and get their staff back to work.
“The hoteliers tell us that the staycations have been way stronger than they projected when deciding to reopen,” Mr Jones said. “There have been weekends when our hotels have been sold out, with the combination of people doing staycations and visitors.” The Work From Bermuda certificate, al- lowing international remote workers to work from Bermuda for a year has been a boon to tourism, in more ways than one.
Mr Jones said: “We believe this group spends a lot in the tourism economy, more so than the typical resident. They’re more likely to book a jet ski, take a boat trip, play golf and eat out.
“It’s also been the best publicity generator for Bermuda this year, with stories talking about the Bermuda lifestyle that is attractive to visitors. By our count, we’ve seen $2.6 mil- lion in combined media value just from media organisations talking about the Work From Bermuda certificate and more than a billion impressions.”
Vacation rentals have benefited from digi- tal nomads. Hotels have introduced extended stay pricing for this market, while electric car firms are looking at month-long and quarterly rentals.
Traditionally, the leisure travel had been largely a volume play, based on numbers of visitors, Mr Jones said. “Maybe the play now is how long can we get a visitor to stay and how much can we get them to spend per day while they’re here.”
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]]>The post Ready to see the back of 2020 appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>Expert sees an uneven economic recovery ahead
by Jonathan Kent
Most of us will be delighted to see the back of 2020, a year that forced fundamental changes to the way we live and plunged us headlong into economic turmoil.
The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic brought us shelter-in-place and the closure of our airport for three months, cost many hotel, restaurant and retail workers their jobs and caused thousands more to be laid off or suffer wage cuts. Working from home has become normal, rather than exceptional, while travel plans were scrapped and the tourism indus- try ground to a virtual halt.
In 2019, the sight of someone wearing a face mask entering a bank or service station would have signalled the arrival of a robber: in 2020, it became required attire for us all.
This is all besides the human tragedy of those who died or became seriously ill as a result of the virus.
All eyes are now looking in hopeful antic- ipation to 2021. What will economic recovery look like?
RG Business has spoken with businesspeo- ple from multiple sectors to get their outlook on the coming year. While it was clear that the pandemic has beaten down some indus- tries more than others, many of our inter- viewees viewed 2021 with cautious optimism, displaying the resilience, ability to adapt and
can-do spirit of Bermuda’s business commu- nity.
But there was also an acknowledgement that some sectors, particularly retail, restau- rants and tourism, would need help to survive until better days, from breaks on taxes to lo- cals making an extra effort to patronise their businesses.
While most of us would yearn for a V-shaped recovery, Nathan Kowalski, chief financial officer of Anchor Investment Management and financial columnist for The Royal Gazette, sees the more likely scenario as K-shaped. That means a two-speed recovery, with those in international business doing
well, while many parts of the domestic econo- my continue to struggle.
Mr Kowalski said even though gross do- mestic product figures may not look so bad, that will not tell the story of those who are suffering. “Many jobs in areas like hospitality and restaurants have gone,” he said. “With those positions not available, there will have to be some retooling and retraining so that skill sets can match job options.”
Struggling sectors will inevitably turn to the Government for help, but public finances are also stretched.
The Government said last month it had paid out $56.8 million in financial aid to more than 10,000 people since the start of April.
It has also committed $12 million to support stricken small businesses through the Ber- muda Economic Development Corporation, and millions more in waived taxes, duties
and fees. All this, while revenue from tour- ism-based taxes, on air and cruise arrivals and hotel occupancy, have slumped to minimal amounts.
Faced with a large deficit that will propel its debt burden close to $3 billion, the Government will seek extra revenue from somewhere, but Mr Kow- alski urges Curtis Dickinson, the finance
minister, not to pull the usual levers. “The two major sources of government
revenue are payroll tax and Customs duties,” he said. “But I’m not sure there is any leeway to increase those right now.” For businesses, he said that would be like “punching them as they get up off the floor”.
He added that the Government should
also pursue tens of millions of dollars of unpaid back taxes more aggressively. Allow- ing companies to avoid paying what was due disadvantaged competitors who played by the
rules, he added.
For several years, the Government – both
Progressive Labour Party and One Bermu- da Alliance administrations – have looked at ways of broadening the tax base. In the
Throne Speech this month, the Government signalled an intention to introduce a capital gains tax.
Mr Kowalski said the Government’s debt burden was less of a concern than the health of the economy, given a successful $1.3 billion bond issuance this year that had not only sup- plied projected borrowing needs for the next two to three years, but had also rolled over existing debt, securing a lower interest rate in the process, and extended durations.
However, while Bermuda maintains an A rating from Standard & Poor’s that helps it to secure low borrowing rates, Mr Kowalski said the Government must act to protect it.
“You need to show the rating agencies that you’re fiscally responsible,” Mr Kowalski said. “Reducing government expenses has to be part of the equation.”
Public-sector unions agreed to a 10 per cent pay cut for one year from September 1, as well as a freeze on contributions to social insurance and the Superannuation Pension Fund. Mr Kowalski said more was needed, changes that would reduce the Government’s cost structure, such as a privatisation pro- gramme, as recommended in the Sage Report. Privatisation need not cost any jobs, he point- ed out, and would give government workers the opportunity to become business owners.
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]]>The post How to sleep better, according to science appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>Sleeping is not only enjoyable but also necessary in order for our bodies and minds to function properly. Restless nights can not only lead to some crappy mornings, but also a number of physical and psychological issues over time. If your bedtime often results in hours of tossing and turning, unable to “shut off”, here are some things you can consider:
Put your phone away
There’s a reason why most of us prefer to sleep in complete darkness or at the very least, dim lights. Studies suggest that the bright blue light coming from your smartphone and other devices like laptops, TVs, etc. interfere with the brain’s production of melatonin, the hormone that signals your body when it’s time to sleep. By staring into a screen, you might be confusing your brain into thinking it’s still daytime and thus, staying up longer than you might intend to, so shut off your phone, and give your brain the time to do its work.
Watch your light exposure
Your body has an internal clock, also known as your circadian rhythm, which can be affected by your light exposure. Studies suggest that daytime bright light exposure can improve the quality and duration of sleep, as well as the time that takes to actually fall asleep. And as we previously mentioned, overstimulation by artificial nights can interfere with the brain’s production of melatonin and thus affecting your natural clock. Make sure you are getting adequate sunlight, ideally as soon as you wake up, and ensure that the environment you are sleeping in is as dark as possible, and free of blue light exposure.
Keep your room cool
Although sleeping with a heather on can be comforting, especially this time of the year, it’s best to keep your space cool in order to have a better night’s sleep. The Harvard Medical School, suggests keeping the temperature “comfortably cool” somewhere between 60 and 70 degrees.
Avoid stimulants in the afternoon
That cup of coffee after lunch might feel necessary to get you through the day, but it might backfire later on. As you probably know, caffeine is a stimulant and can keep you up tossing around at night. It is recommended to avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, sodas, etc.) four to six hours before time, in order to allow your brain to shut off.
Exercise, but not right before bed
Although exercise has been proven to improve your health and sleep, doing it right before might be interfering with your sleep schedule, due to the increase of hormones like adrenaline and epinephrine during exercise. Like caffeine, it can be a stimulant, so try to get your workout in earlier in the day.
Set a schedule
Waking up and going to sleep around the same time aide your internal clock and will likely increase your chances of a good night’s rest. Stick to this routine even on the weekends as much as possible, to avoid that “hangover” feeling when waking up on Monday mornings.
If all else fails, consult with your doctor. While a sleepless night can be normal here and there, long-term sleep deprivation can have some serious effects on your mental and physical health. There are many supplements and treatments that can aid and correct particular issues you might be experiencing.
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]]>The post “The Pictures” by Guy Bolton appeared first on RG Magazines.
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$16.00, Point Blank
4 out of 5 stars
Getting the chance to review books means that on a regular basis you will end up reading something you would never have picked up on your own. “The Pictures” was very much that book for me. Billed as a noir crime novel, Bolton’s book is set in LA in the 30s, and features a glamorous cast of characters, with glimpses of stars such as Joan Crawford, Katherine Hepburn, Mae West and Groucho Marx.
Detective Jonathan Craine is a fixer for the Hollywood studios and he’s, to put it plainly, a real jerk. He helps to spin stories to ensure all of the studio’s contract stars appear to have a clean nose. Even a brutal murder is pinned on a homeless black man with no real evidence, and a big-named director, who commits suicide, is portrayed as a manic-depressive homosexual to keep people from sniffing around and connecting the stars – and the studio – to the sordid underworld that sits just below the glamorous facade. And while Craine’s moral compass points south throughout much of the novel there are moments that soften him over the course of the story. In particular is the death of his starlet wife, Celia, which still haunts him, and newcomer to the LAPD Detective Patrick O’Neill, who believes in getting to the bottom of these crimes.
Despite my hesitation about reading this genre, I very much enjoyed the story, and found myself desperate to speed through and find out the whodunit. While some of the writing is a bit stilted, particularly in the beginning, and not as fast-paced as the end of the novel, I found that less of a problem as the ending was worth it. I had some issues with the name-dropping of the famous stars I mentioned at the beginning, which I think was a way for Bolton to attempt to connect the story to the time period – but I really think it was a bit unnecessary. While the denouement isn’t a huge surprise (remember, this is a world filled with liars and cheats), I really enjoyed the story getting there and the characters – even Craine – had a special place in my heart at the end.
“The Pictures” can be purchased at the Bermuda Bookstore.
Here are some more suggestions from the staff at the Bermuda Bookstore:
“Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee follows a Korean family through the generations beginning in the early 1900s. This is an epic family saga that captures the essence of family bonds.
While books about World War II are plenty, “Munich” by Robert Harris focuses on two former friends who will cross paths as Hitler and Chamberlain are about to meet in Munich. “Munich” weaves together historical background with an intriguing and clever plot.
“When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing” by Daniel Pink gives some clear answers as to when to make those important life decisions based on research from psychology, biology and economics.
While “The Last Black Unicorn” by Tiffany Haddish has been on everyone’s radar, it’s still worth a mention if you’re looking for a feisty, brutally honest collection of personal essays by this hilarious stand-up comedian.
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]]>The post My Spring Trend 2018 List appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>Statement Shirts: The staple cotton shirt receives a directional makeover for spring/summer 2018. Designers were seen experimenting with dipped hems, asymmetric hemlines and sash belts to upgrade the essential cotton shirt. The reworked shirt look is cool rather than corporate and a new spring go-to. Try wearing with wide-leg jeans, or opt for a nonchalant feel with a sporty cross-body bag, as seen at Eudon Choi.
Contrasting Stripes and Checks: Want to keep things interesting this spring? Try clashing staple checks and stripes for an idiosyncratic look. Contrasting checks with stripes is a thoroughly modern look for spring. Take your inspiration from the Céline runway with a block-striped top tucked into a plaid maxi skirt. Find your ideal mismatch and wear all season.
Urban Jungle: The usual florals for spring? Not this year! Instead channel the heat of the tropics combined with exotic prints instead. Wear head-to-foot for maximum impact or dip a toe into the new season wilderness with a printed skirt. To make the most of this spring print move on, style with a sports-luxe hoodie and ankle boots for spring, then block-heeled mules as the weather warms up.
Loose Tailoring: Fashion’s love affair with relaxed tailoring continues into spring/summer 2018, making this your cue to invest in a chic suit. Keep your silhouette contemporary with soft fluid pieces, such as a long-line jacket or wide-leg trousers, and wear slightly oversized for that effortless feel and look. Dress this style down with a white tee and take it into the weekend with the addition of faded denim.
Long Lengths: The chicest silhouette this season is long and luxurious. Finishing touches such as pie-crust collars, balloon sleeves and asymmetric hemlines add interest to long flowing fabrics. Complete the look with tonal court shoes or add trainers for off-duty cool. This intriguing spring 2018 trend is certainly one to guarantee a sweeping statement.
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]]>The post Tuesday, December 7th 1976 appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>What a blast from the past.
In the news
Four hundred sandy’s residents and two opposition MPs have won their 12 month fight to keep a bridge on the scenic Somerset right of way at Harmony Bay. An investigation is underway into the collision between a police boat, Blue Heron and the Paget ferry Geirgia and A Canadian serviceman William Pearson, who was saved from drowning near Grotto Bay,was in satisfactory condition at the King Edward Hospital.
In the U.K. punk rock band, The Sex Pistols appear in Bill Grundy’s TV show promoting their new single ‘Anarchy in the UK’. Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan win the Nobel peace prize while inflation stands at 16.5 percent.
In the U.S., ‘Hotel California’ is released by the Eagles. Richard J.Daley Mayor of Chicago for 21 years dies while in office and California’s sodomy law is repealed.
Top of the pops
TV Shows
Movies
For all your memories of the 60s, 70s, and 80s please check my “Back in de day” Facebook page or contact me on 234-5495 or [email protected]
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]]>The post November 24th, 1980 appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>In the news
The United Bermuda Party will announce whether they will replace Dr. Vincent Bridgewater before tomorrow’s nomination deadline. Due to the nature of Dr. Brigewaters’ behavior in recent weeks, many in the UBP feel that’s it’s time for a replacement.
November has seen a record growth in tourism for the twentieth consecutive month, exceeding the same month last year. Figures released by the Department of Tourism show that 48,822 visitors came to Bermuda in October, up by 3.1 percent over the same month last year.
Mr.Julian Hall is to stand as the Progressive Labour Party’s candidate in Pembroke West against Premiere Hon. David Gibbons in the up coming general election.
In the U.S., Former Governor of California, Ronald Reagan defeats democratic President Jimmy Carter. The victory was a land slide for the new President.
The 7.3 Eureka earthquake shook the north coast of California causing six injuries and costing $2.75 million in damages. Meanwhile, millions of viewers tuned into finding out who shot J.R in the mega hit series, Dallas.
In the United Kingdom, Michael Foot is elected leader of the Labour Party and 16-year-old Theresa Sykes is wounded in an attack on her by the Yorkshire Ripper. With the economy now in recession, the government has announced there will be further cuts in spending with increased taxes in order to the tackle the country’s inflation rate.
Top of the pops
TV shows
Movies
For all your memories of the 60s, 70s, and 80s please check my “Back in de day” Facebook page or contact me on 234-5495 or [email protected]
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]]>The post Gone with the wind appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>I have never kayaked in Bermuda, so I wanted to do so and learn a bit more about my home from a tourist perspective. We began by departing from Dockyard starting with a boat ride to our official departure location which was Ely’s Harbour. During the off season a mini bus is normally provided to avoid the refreshing splashes from the waves against the boat. Our tour guides were Ashley, Adrian and Josh all very knowledgeable and friendly individuals.
A quick stop to the northern point of the Bermuda Triangle, locally known as The Vixen, a boat which was once upon a time filled with prisoners who were later put to work. Currently the Vixen provides a lovely residence for greedy tenants that know to expect food when boats arrive to the area. Although the temptation to throw over a line comes to mind, fishing is not allowed.
Once we arrived at Ely’s Harbour I could not get my bearing’s from this perspective. I was completely turned around yet amazed by the landscape surrounding the harbour. The wind was not in my favor on this day however I was completely fine being left behind by the group! I wanted to give up, but instead I made more of an effort to catch up and hear interesting facts about Bermuda.
Here’s a fun fact: Thousands of the very tiny insects called the lady bird beetle, commonly known as the lady bug were brought to Bermuda to destroy the cedar scale insects that was killing the cedar trees. Unfortunately, this was unsuccessful, and a high number of cedar trees died.
We paddled our way around the harbour, passing a well-kept dwelling on a private island fixed with anything you could possibly ask for. Straight ahead we made our way to the mangroves where turtles come to enjoy a fresh meal of sea grass. Not many were spotted on this day but in the warmer months more are known to visit the area.
Here’s another fun fact: It was once said that turtle eggs where brought to Bermuda from Puerto Rico with hopes to have more live in Bermuda waters. Unfortunately, this too was unsuccessful as once the eggs hatched the turtles made their way back to Puerto Rico. While on a roll with unsuccessful experiments, Bermuda’s weather temperatures were not taken into consideration as it only assisted in producing male turtles. The temperatures in Puerto Rico produce an even number of males and females.
While I tried to keep up with the group I was still fighting my hardest to avoid trees and rocks. I had no choice but to laugh at how pathetic my kayaking skills were! However, I quickly realized that I should have been stirring the kayak and not paddling my little heart out as the wind was now working in my favor!
Note to remember: When you change direction, the wind will make life a bit easier just be mindful of how you use your paddle.
Nevertheless, the tour guides found me amusing and we shared a moment in laughter as we made our way to the last stop called the Elephant Rock. I was able to see right away the reason behind the name as I saw a cluster of elephant heads in the rock formation. It was a two for one special as the opposite side of the rock formation showcased a cathedral. Pretty fascinating how the elements create such artistic formations.
We were on the home stretch and the sun was beginning to be a tad bit aggressive on my skin. Thankfully, we were given a moment to take a swim and cool down after an awesome upper body work out — quite refreshing if I do say so myself!
It was all aboard as we made our way back to Dockyard while consuming a complimentary glass of Rum Swizzle! While feeling like a tourist for three hours I was intrigued, learning new and refreshing information about Bermuda. Would I do it all again? Absolutely, only this time I’ll bring someone else to paddle me around.
* To book a kayaking adventure, simply log on to www.islandtourcentre.com and follow the instructions online. With a simple click, you can be scheduled for a tour in no time. Once the desired date is confirmed, print out your e-ticket for easy reference and arrive 15 minutes prior to the departure time as suggested. By doing so this provides enough time to check-in and sign any necessary waivers.
Deanna Williams – DWPerception is a landscape, architecture, portrait and fashion photographer, who thrives on fresh ideas and collaborative opportunities. Here’s the world from her perspective: www.dwperception.com
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