Documents obtained by the show that the publicly-funded facility forked out $53,885.95 to travel agent C Travel Ltd. for 175 individual trips to the US between January 1 and May 31 this year.

The itemised invoice shows that 51 trips were made to Washington, DC at a cost of $13,111.68, while Chicago proved the second most popular destination with 16 visits by staff members in the five month period.

Other destinations included Nashville, West Palm Beach, Austin, Phoenix and Seattle.

Yesterday, a College spokeswoman was unable to explain the purpose of the overseas trips, or give any details of additional expenses that were accrued by staff members while off the island.

Nor was she able to say whether additional airline tickets had been purchased through other agencies. Education Minister Neletha Butterfield also declined to answer questions about the high-price tab.

A Government spokesman said: "The Minister will reply to those questions through parliamentary protocol ? that is, via written Parliamentary questions from Members of Parliament on the floor of the House.

But Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert claimed the figures suggested a failure by Government to keep spending under control.

"The amount seems to be a lot," Mr. Furbert said.

"There may be a perfectly acceptable explanation for it, but in light of ongoing questions about College spending I think the Legislature's Public Accounts Committee should look into it.

"Unfortunately, it becomes another question about the Government's management and control of the public purse. I think the best thing for all concerned ? the College, the Government and the public ? is for the Government to shine a light on the situation so that everyone can be assured that there is nothing fishy going on with the spending of taxpayer dollars at the College."

The Public Accounts Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into financial mismanagement at the College. A report leaked to the media last week concluded that College president Charles Green's utility bills were being paid for by the taxpayer and his membership of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

The perks, totalling around $20,000, had not been approved by the College's board of governors.

In a statement issued last night, the College defended the bill, saying: "In any academic institution, the ongoing professional development of faculty and staff is essential to providing quality learning.

"There are over 100 faculty and staff at Bermuda College, several with terminal degrees, many with postgraduate degrees and other professional designations; many of whom are being assisted in gaining additional academic qualifications through designated funds.

"Aside from this professional training, there are numerous articulation agreements with overseas institutions, and ongoing initiatives involving online education, technical education, master's degree programmes, and other business requiring travel in the day-to-day operations of Bermuda College, whose fiscal year, incidentally, begins in April.

"To suggest and/or query that figures are 'high' presumes that comparative research has been conducted with other similar community colleges. Bermuda College remains committed to its mission to provide quality education to ensure student success. As a responsive community college, the development of its faculty, staff and the pursuit of innovative initiatives to serve its community will continue to be its focus."