It was an historic day earlier today, when Premier David Burt and the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Sen. Owen Darrell participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Fairmont Southampton Hotel.
To Cabinet and Parliamentary colleagues, the President of the Bermuda Industrial Union, the Gencom team, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
I am not sure which cliché best applies to today, but I have settled on this one: better late than never!
A once in a century global pandemic, a war in Europe, global economic uncertainty because of both, and a justifiably cautious hospitality investment environment, have all at varying stages affected the journey to today. However, we are here and each of the parties represented has delivered on a shared commitment to make the redevelopment of this iconic site a reality.
Today’s groundbreaking takes place against the background of growing economic success for Bermuda. We are seeing increased numbers of Bermudians working across multiple sectors, and tourism is the next sector we are determined to grow.
Irrespective of how our tourism fortunes have fared in the last decade, we have never been out of this business, and a signature project like this one will send the clearest signal that we are focused on remaining on the top of the destination map.
I have never (not for one minute) doubted the wider public’s support for this redevelopment, despite the opposition, manufactured or otherwise, that we have faced over the past four years. Likewise, I believe that the people of Bermuda appreciate that the benefits to construction and other related firms, as well as to our airlift and on-Island activities, have been well worth the wait.
This transaction represents the largest-ever hotel project for Bermuda and it ranks as a remarkable achievement when considering the local and international headwinds we have faced.
This project represents jobs for Bermudians, and through the Ministry of Economy and Labour, the Government has been clear on how we wish to see Bermudians welcomed to return to the industry or enter for the first time, with a clear path for upward mobility and career growth.
As we celebrate this new beginning today, I wish to thank all of those who endured endless Zoom calls, pored through innumerable legal and financial documents, late conversations, disturbed holidays, and other things which seemingly were always trying to get in the way.
The reality is, that there are people who believed this day would happen and worked hard to ensure we got to this day and I want to thank everyone for their work in making this day a reality.
We are on the cusp of a genuine renaissance in tourism. The Government’s deliberate leadership and involvement in delivering this redevelopment demonstrates our fundamental belief in achieving the best for Bermuda and Bermudians.
So, as I close, let us remember that today is a good day for Bermuda, and I am proud and honoured to lead a government that did the work to ensure that we bring this place back to where it belongs.
Thank you.