been met with mixed opinions from residents and tourists.

But an informal poll conducted on the streets of Hamilton revealed that most people see the idea, put forward this week by a group of 52 Island retailers, as a positive one which could give tourism the boost it needs.

Thursday's edition of The Royal Gazette quoted the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce committee responsible for the proposals, and Astwood Dickinson general manager Ian Smith as saying that duty-free would be a "magic spin'' for Bermuda.

Another committee member, owner of Makin' Waves Stuart Joblin called the idea a "win-win'' situation which would lower prices and increase profit margins for retailers.'' Most people were, more-or-less, in agreement that the move would bring overall benefits to the Island's economy.

American visitor Sidney O'Connor said: "Everything here is just too darn expensive. The duty on goods is too much and it should be reduced.'' Accountant Sandra Ford said she felt it was a "good idea'' and added: "Being that the tourist industry isn't booming right now, I think making the Island duty-free might help sales by encouraging tourists to spend more.'' Computer technician Mark Woolgar said: "Yeah, I think we need another incentive for tourists to come to Bermuda.'' Christine Gibbons thought it was a "good idea''.

"Bermudians are able to travel to other countries and get goods duty-free.

Therefore, people from away should be able to come here and do the same,'' she said.

Vincent Outerbridge was more on the fence when it came to welcoming the idea of duty-free.

"I suppose it has its advantages,'' he said, "seeing as the prices of goods would go down. Bermudians are always complaining about the lack of variety of the items for sale here. If retailers would slash prices then maybe they would be more competetive with the US'' Also undecided was accountant Mary Astarita, who said: "On the one hand, I can see that it would encourage tourists to come here but I also wonder about the implications it might have for residents.'' Another two people with mixed opinions on the subject were Marianne Bikker and Jessica Braden.

Visiting the Island from Canada, they felt Bermuda's "unique and good quality goods'' were worth paying a little extra for.

"I mean the advertising for this place is aimed at a certain type of people.'' Ms Bikker said, "The Island should stick with that more expensive kind of image.'' Ms Braden thought that duty-free, while making it cheaper for tourists might have a negative affect on the lives of residents.

Photographer Nigel Richardson was one person who disagreed with the proposals though: "Bermuda's just like any other country. Visitors expect to pay the country's taxes whenever they go anywhere else and they should have to do it here.'' Senior fund accountant Melanie Cashin offered a slightly different solution however.

She pointed out that Canada has a system where visitors can claim back any taxes that they pay with receipts.

"It think that would be a good system to have here,'' she said.

Nigel Richardson Marianne Bikker Melanie Cashin Mark Woolgar TAXES TAX