Bermuda Group Lauds Buckhead Ties

Bermuda and Buckhead are building a beautiful relationship.

Under a sister community partnership forged by the a group of officials from Bermuda are

The Bermudans' trip returns the hospitality shown by the British island in May, when members of the Buckhead Coalition's board traveled to Bermuda. The trip marked AirTran Airlines' establishing daily service to Bermuda from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Buckhead Coalition President Sam Massell said the important thing in the trips is the personal connection between the two groups.

"To bring people together face to face" fosters greater understanding between the two communities, Massell said. He mentioned a meeting the Bermudan delegation had with the coalition board. "This meant the world to me and our members, to bring us together in this one room."

Patrice K. Minors, minister of business development and tourism, served as the chief spokesperson for the Bermuda group at a news conference at the Buckhead Club. She said she sees Buckhead and Atlanta as playing a major role in developing Bermuda as an international business sector.

Along with tourism, Bermuda is growing as an insurance center. She said the island is looking to grow in the "asset management" sector, by seeking "fund managers to set up shop in Bermuda." 

She said Buckhead and Atlanta's hotel industry is a key attraction for the Bermuda group. "We're seeking to enhance our hotel product, the quality of our product, with brands we see here."

Stephen Todd, president of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, summed up in one word what draws Bermudans to Atlanta: "shopping." He said Bermudans enjoy visiting Georgia's capital city. "A lot of Bermudans see Atlanta as their second home."

Other members of the delegation, which leaves Thursday, are Michelle Khaldun, acting permanent secretary of business development and tourism; Charles Gosling, mayor of Hamilton; Stephen Todd, president of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce; Travis Gilbert, legislative assistant of the ministry of business development and tourism, William Griffith, director of tourism; and Jasmin Smith, assistant director of tourism.

The Bermuda multimedia magazine Bernews also reported on the delegation's visit.