Bermuda is "like an old folks' home'' because of its lack of night-time entertainment for visitors, according to a leading light in the Island's tourism industry.

Donald Morris, chairman of Bermuda Island Cruises, said the dearth of attractions after dark was a major weakness in the Island's appeal as a resort.

But Mr. Morris, who has a stake in the fledgling tourist industry of Cuba where the nightlife is positively vibrant, intends to take action himself to liven-up Bermuda.

Already his company puts on well-attended outdoor parties on Hawkins Island, but he aims to expand on that.

Inspired by the fast-beat Latin music he has seen performed in Havana, Mr.

Morris is already planning to bring a salsa festival to Bermuda.

His success in converting a boat into a floating restaurant, bar and nightclub in Cuba, has encouraged him to envisage doing the same thing at home.

And he issued an impassioned plea to the Government to allow the establishment of casinos -- something he said would boost visitor numbers and could allow taxes to be slashed.

Mr. Morris said it was imperative for the Island to step up its entertainment level if the flagging tourism industry was to recover any of its former glory.

"I had some friends from Florida who came to Bermuda and they said they like the place, but they were playing cards at night,'' said Mr. Morris. "They said they wanted to see some entertainment, but there was none.

"And if visitors don't have a good time, they are not going to come back.

There's not much entertainment at night, it's like an old folks' home.

"When tourists come to Bermuda, they want to be outside, but where is there in Bermuda to be outside at night? "In the late 70s and early 80s, there was a lot of entertainment outside in Bermuda, now there is virtually none. One of the reasons our parties at Hawkins Island have been such a success is because they're outside.

"I would like to stage a salsa festival in Bermuda, probably at Hawkins Island in the summer. We are in contact with people in Cuba to see what groups would be available.'' One of the Hawkins Island parties, last July, was last month the subject of a court case based on a complaint by businessman David Lines over the amount of noise it produced.

But the case, which was brought against party host Tony Brannon, was thrown out for lack of evidence. Mr. Morris said that if the courts ever blocked the parties, he would consider bringing his floating restaurant/nightclub back from Cuba.

"If they stopped us, I would seriously consider bringing the boat back to operate it as a nightclub and casino, if they'd let me,'' said Mr. Morris.

"I think we need casinos in Bermuda. That is one of the things that could revive tourism.

"With casinos come good shows. Unfortunately some people seem to believe this myth that casinos bring the mafia and drugs. That was in the 40s, not today.

"Casinos attract people. You see 100 buses a day going out of New York to Atlantic City, carrying people who want to spend their money gambling. And you can go to Las Vegas and see hundreds of senior citizens pulling those slot machines. I believe Bermuda really needs that.

"If Bermuda had one big casino taking $1-million a day, I believe we could lower taxes by 50 percent. The Government has to decide where we are going with our tourism industry.

"People in Bermuda already bet on football pools, golf matches and NFL games.

If people want to gamble, we should let them gamble. It brings people in, gives them something to do and creates employment.

"You can't stop people gambling if they want to. You can't police the world, and if you try to, you're a fool.''