Talks are underway to establish a second Bermuda to Atlanta flight, the Tourism Minister revealed yesterday.

David Dodwell made the announcement in the House of Assembly as he unveiled a series of new measures designed to attract more visitors to the Island.

The Minister also hailed a halt in the slow decline in tourist numbers -- but said there were still three problem areas in Bermuda: transport, food and entertainment.

Mr. Dodwell was speaking during the Budget debate on the Tourism Department yesterday.

"Last year in terms of tourist arrivals we were up 2.5 percent. I am disappointed yes. Did we meet our objectives, no. But we did stop the decline.

"By stopping that decline, I would like to believe we are on the climb up,'' he said.

Mr. Dodwell said the tourism department was focusing on several areas this year including new flights as well as a re-direction of marketing.

He revealed talks were underway with Delta Airlines about the possibility of a second Atlanta flight.

It was also revealed that significant funding was on the table to coax American Airlines into running a Miami to Bermuda flight.

A review of charter flights to Bermuda -- which are currently barely allowed -- is also to take place.

"We have asked Delta to help us with a second flight from Atlanta. We have also made a proposal to American Airlines of significant funding that puts on the table a substantial figure to help with a Miami to Bermuda flight.'' Tourism arrivals last year increased by 2.5 percent but the majority of the increase was due to more cruise ship passengers. Numbers arriving by air increased by only 0.8 percent.

Mr. Dodwell wanted to increase arrivals by 25,000 through initiatives such as the `Let Yourself Go' advertising campaign.

Yesterday the Minister announced a slight repositioning of the campaign with advertisements to run on local US cable stations instead of national television.

Greater emphasis will also be placed on magazine advertising -- with $2 million taken from other areas to fund the move. Greater competition is also being encouraged with several magazines invited to tender for a contract.

Colouring book inserts will also be placed in a US children's magazine -- which adults order.

For the first time specific events, such as Cup Match, will be marketed abroad in a $1 million scheme to boost Bermuda's home-grown events.

In conjunction with hotels, $500,000 will go to setting up a Camp Bermuda to entertain children coming to the Island.

About $100,000 will go towards plugging hotels with under 25 rooms, a wreck week will be set up and a $1 million service strategy plan put into effect to improve service standards in hotels.

Government will also start a `Sunset Series' of evening shows involving Bermudians to increase entertainment and ways to increase watersports will be investigated.

"We have to be bold and aggressive. We are in a competitive world and if we are not bold and aggressive and recognise that we have to make changes it will not happen,'' said Mr. Dodwell.

However Mr. Dodwell also admitted there were still problem areas needing attention -- entertainment, food and transport.

"These are the three negative things we hear from visitors. There is no question there is a significant shortcoming in the way we entertain our visitors.

"If we provide facilities during the day we also have to provide something during the night. The private sector needs to move forward in that way.

"Food and restaurants are a critical component of satisfaction levels and we are looking at a having a culinary competition which can raise our levels and our appreciation of how important food is,'' said Mr. Dodwell.

He said a study would take place that would pull together previous reports on transport to see if transport system improvements could be examined.

Mr. Dodwell added: "I would appeal to the community. The word partnership is critical. It is all of us who have to deliver a vacation that the customer today expects.'' AIRPORT FLY