Three Tourism staff are leaving the Island's New York office in addition to two recently revealed resignations in Bermuda, The Royal Gazette has learned.

Opposition Leader Dr. Grant Gibbons said he feared marketing was seriously under-strength but Director of Tourism Judith Hall-Bean said the departures would result in little disruption.

The Department is to hire a temporary employee to oversee the running of the African Diaspora Heritage Trail conference in May following the resignation of Michelle Burrows, who was dealing with the project.

Her resignation comes on top of that of Assistant Director of Marketing Cherie Whitter.

Mrs. Hall-Bean said the three resignations in New York were of "lower rung positions" - sales counsellor and administrative assistant - and added "turnover in such positions is a normal occurrence".

She said: "Please be assured that given the nature of the environment within the marketing section specifically, and the Ministry of Tourism generally, Mrs. Cherie Whitter's departure from the post of Assistant Director of Marketing should represent little disruption by way of development and implementation of new initiatives.

"The marketing team is fully briefed and extremely capable. In any case, Mrs. Whitter will not be leaving the Department for a couple of months, and during that period the post should be filled."

Mrs Hall Bean said that Assistant Directors of Marketing leaving to join the private sector was not unusual. Between October 1993 and January 1998, three had left, she noted.

"To address the short-term organisation of the Africa Diaspora Heritage Trail conference, we have engaged an experienced person on a short-term contract, as a temporary employee, to oversee details of the conference.

"She will be working along with the product development section to ensure the success of this conference."

Dr. Gibbons said yesterday: "Marketing has lost some of its most senior people and the department will be devastated by this. Effectively, there is no depth left in the marketing department."