Hotel developers are happy with a Throne Speech promise requiring them to include housing for expatriate and Bermudian workers, Tourism Minister Ewart Brown said last week.

Dr. Brown spoke after Government Senator Reginald Burrows voiced fears in the Senate last Wednesday that some potential developers may be put off by the requirement, which could drive the cost of developing a new hotel on the Island significantly.

"The developers are all happy about it," Dr. Brown said. "I haven't had one developer express any problem with it."

Hotel developers realise their product is stronger and better with local input, he said. "Developers want waiters who, when asked where Dockyard is, don't go: 'Dock-where?'"

The Ministry is asking that any developers redoing hotels (such as Newstead) and even any hotels now existing also take part in the staff housing initiative for Bermudians and expatriates. Over time, he added, those which do will be separated from those which do not in levels of service.

More information on the details of the initiative will come as those details are finalised.