The reports of the Platinum Period's demise are greatly exaggerated. Today, Premier Ewart Brown issued a statement on the continued success of the Platinum Period tourism revitilisation. Premier Brown:

Mr. Speaker, that plan includes the demolition of the former Club Med Resort which was spectacularly and flawlessly ticked off the checklist in August of last year – all of it documented by a Discovery Channel film crew for a programme called “The Detonators”...

The Discovery Channel is seen in 431 million homes spread across 170 countries, Mr Speaker. 114,500 watched Wednesday night’s episode in the United States alone. Sir, that kind of exposure for the country is extremely valuable...

Mr. Speaker, it demonstrated the professionalism of our people in the Police Service and the Fire Service, the Works Ministry and the Tourism Department. It showed off our country’s natural beauty and it revealed the true progress of our Tourism product into a Platinum Period age.

I am especially grateful for that last part, Mr. Speaker, because a Shadow Minister who sits in another place told the press this week that the Platinum Period is dead on arrival.

I believe he called it a figment of my imagination, Mr. Speaker.

Au contraire, Mr. Speaker.

In fact, Mr. Speaker, there was an Honourable Member who once called fast ferries a figment of my imagination. And lo and behold the fast ferry fleet is now six strong!

But I digress, Mr. Speaker. Back to the issue at hand. I thought it might be helpful to give an update from… my imagination.

Last spring, Mr. Speaker, the splendid Newstead right across the harbour from here opened its doors and revealed stunning views and immaculate accommodations. Pure Platinum, Mr. Speaker.

This coming spring Tucker’s Point will open its hotel resort, ushering in a new era of luxury we are yet to see in our beautiful country. Pure Platinum, Mr. Speaker.

Just before Christmas last year, the Cabinet Office hosted a signing ceremony that will bring a plush Park Hyatt Resort at the place where the Club Med once stood. Pure Platinum, Mr. Speaker.

And lest we forget the upgrades, Mr. Speaker, courtesy of this Government’s monumental Hotel Concessions Act.

The upgrades at Cambridge Beaches are outstanding, Mr. Speaker. Pure Platinum.

The remake of the former Bay Wing of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess is spectacular, Mr. Speaker. Pure Platinum.

And Mr. Speaker, wait until you see the Port Royal Golf Course when it is complete. I believe it will be in serious contention to become one of the finest public golf courses anywhere in the world – another source of pride for Bermudians. Pure Platinum, Mr. Speaker, and then some!

In fact, the Shadow Minister was among the players during the recent soft opening at Port Royal.

Whether you are touring the country or whether you’re watching the Discovery Channel, Mr. Speaker, the proof of an improving tourism infrastructure in Bermuda is all around us. And the levels of improvement are 100% platinum!

Platinum period promised. Platinum period delivered. And, we're not done yet.