A Tourism Authority would provide greater transparency and involve more stakeholders in decision-making, according to Shadow Tourism Minister Kim Swan.

Mr. Swan said: "When we (the UBP) exited office in 1998 there were plans in place to establish a Tourism Authority, and we feel more so now than ever that it's the right thing to do.

"We commend the Minister (Dr. Brown) for having brought more airlines to the Island, but a Tourism Authority would get the industry more involved in future planning. Instead of Government being the driving engine, it would be the industry that would plot and plan the way forward.

"There is a transparency with a Tourism Authority, and I feel that we need that transparency. Many decisions are currently made as a fait accompli, and how we got there or what's involved is kept very much in the dark. We feel a tourism industry where Government is an interested partner would play a better part."

Sen. Swan wants to see the continued presence of cruise ships in Hamilton harbour, describing it as part of Bermuda's "charm". "I think allowing Hamilton to continue to provide us with a cruise port is something that needs to be discussed by the stakeholders in that municipality, rather than a decision being made without them. That's why the industry should be on board."

The UBP also wants to even out air and cruise arrival numbers. "Cruise ships represent in excess of 50 percent of all visitor arrivals," said Sen. Swan. "Whilst we do appreciate the value that they bring to the Island, we feel it's important to strike the right balance."

He pointed to a 2003 Market Audit of the Tourism Department by Ettenberg and Company, which showed cruise passengers spent an average $157 per stay, compared to air visitors at $1,123.

"We would look at managing this balance at a more manageable level," said Mr. Swan.

The Shadow Tourism Minister also called for a marketing focus on Canada, rather than China.

"Rather than expecting someone to travel half-way around the world to visit Bermuda, we feel we need to cast our nets closer to home," said Mr. Swan. "Of our gateway cities, Canada offers great potential for expansion.

"The strong Canadian dollar makes a Bermuda vacation more affordable — given the close proximity of Canada to Bermuda. We in the United Bermuda Party, if elected, would ensure that Bermuda gets better value for its money by concentrating on increasing our market share in that region — a region which is already familiar and where travel can be non-stop within two to three hours."

Mr. Swan, the UBP candidate for St. George's West, also wants to see more investment in the Island's historic attractions.

"St. George's is the first capital of Bermuda — where all our history started from, and I feel it is a working town which can only survive if commerce is enhanced. But for the last 19 years we've been without a major hotel there at Club Med," he said.

"St. George's has a unique charm that needs to be enhanced, and St. Catherine's needs to be beautified and restored post-haste.

"It's important for the tourism product to be enhanced Island-wide as we're all inter-connected. St. George's should be given the resources to keep pace in a fast-moving world. We need to make sure its charm is kept intact."