The Premier announced another “executive decision” in Parliament on Friday: the cruise ships will now be allowed to open both their retail shops and casinos while in port. In addition, for the ports of Hamilton and St George, Government will roll back the $14 per passenger arrival tax in return for some donations to Harbour Nights and the museums in St Georges.
Most governments seek to foster and protect business interests, as these employ local folks and pay taxes that support the government. Not here: our Government wants to cut out the “filter” of small businesses and get paid directly. More exciting that way.
Retail shops on the ships compete directly with the Bermuda stores … but pay no import duty or payroll tax. There is no stickiness for the Bermuda economy; we may be getting more tourists, but there is less benefit for Bermudians.
The ships will also create an on-island dining guide (presumably competing for advertising dollars with similar local publications). Because people who have bought a pre-paid meal package are dying to pay again for a replacement meal ashore.
The ships will also supply entertainment for Harbour Nights. Umm, you know, so the tourists can experience the real Bermuda.
The ships will also kick in some cash for Dr. Love’s Great Music X-Travaganza. Why, I don’t know.
This is greedy and self-interested … it sure isn’t good participative management.
I also note with irony that the ships will make a donation to the St George’s Foundation and the Bermuda Heritage Museum. The latter is an anchor of the Premier’s Diaspora project and celebrates Bermuda’s black history, especially the once-influential “friendly societies” which this Government is happily allowing to slip away into history.