House: New York marketing blitz

News Staff

Published Mar 3, 2018 at 8:00 am (Updated Mar 2, 2018 at 1:33 pm)

Tourism minister Jamahl Simmons (File photograph by Blaire Simmons)

Artists and designers presented the Bermuda story to potential clients in New York as part of a marketing blitz.

An evening style event was laid on at a lower Manhattan hotel to give guests a feel for island life, tourism minister Jamahl Simmons told the House of Assembly.

He said Bermuda was “impeccably represented” by artist Alshante Foggo, sculptor Stratton Hatfield, jewellery maker Elissa Stubbs, fashion designers Rebecca Hanson, Cary Butterfield and Patricia Borland, musician Raven Baksh, DJ Damon DeGraff and perfumery business owner Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone.

Mr Simmons said: “The destination event planners that attended really had their imaginations opened and I know they’re excited about bringing their wedding, corporate and other group clients to Bermuda.

“This same model of event marketing moves next to Boston, then to Philadelphia and then onto Washington, DC.”

On the trip, Mr Simmons was accompanied by Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO Kevin Dallas and other marketing professionals from his New York-based team.

He said the campaign aimed to inspire travel to Bermuda and attract media and trade partners who can help share the Bermuda story.

Mr Simmons added: “I also spent a great deal of time in the Bermuda Tourism Authority New York office, getting up to speed with the public relations and social media teams, particularly as it relates to the international media coverage of the Domestic Partnership Act.

“Over the past several months my Ministry has been working with the BTA to formulate the proper response that ensures travel consumers know Bermuda is a destination welcoming to everyone — including the LGBT community.

“The in-person meetings in New York were valuable to take note of where we are to date on this issue from a tourism perspective — and I will stay abreast of further developments in consultation with our partners at the Bermuda Tourism Authority.”

• To read Mr Simmons’s statement in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”

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