Government and hoteliers have agreed to use new technology try to build an Island-wide data base that will help boost the tourism industry.

There were no details about the plan, which was greed at a meeting at the Fairmont Southampton Princess on Saturday between Government, Bermuda Hotel Owners Committee, Bermuda Hotel Association and the Bermuda Industrial Union. But the second annual Bermuda National Tourism Conference, which ended on Saturday, heard presentations from technology experts about how to build data networks with sophisticated information about customers.

One speaker, former NASA engineer Joseph Fasulo, said the technology already exists for hotels to be told automatically that a guest has boarded a plane and his estimated time of arrival.

He also said hotels could provide electronic vouchers which would allow a guest to charge every purchase on the Island to his room.

The hotel owners' summit, the first since September 11, agreed the Island should continue to chase group bookings, and to develop advertising which is more focussed on the consumer.

The meeting also discussed developing a system for fast tracking work permits between the Immigration Department and Bermuda Hotel Association.

The meeting was co-chaired by Premier Jennifer Smith and Sonesta Beach Hotel owner Stephanie Sonnabend, the chair of the Hotel Owners' Committee.

Meanwhile, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has approved $18 million for a public and private sector initiative involving the Caribbean Hotel Association to revitalise tourism in the Caribbean.