Bermuda's three week limit for tourists generally works well and has only adversely affected a very small number of people, Tourism Minister David Allen said yesterday.

He was reacting to criticism of the limit this week after two different tourists contacted The Royal Gazette to say they were angered at being ordered by Immigration to leave the Island after three weeks

In one case, Immigration officials suggested a man from Australia visiting his stepfather take a $900 day return flight to New York so he could get a three week permission renewed.

Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell called for the legislation on extensions, which has been in effect for years, to be reviewed, and shadow Legislative Affairs Minister John Barritt said it was "crazy" at a time when the Island was trying desperately to attract more visitors.

Bermuda Hotel Association President Billy Griffith also called for a rethink of the rules if they are affecting bona fide visitors who want to extend their stay in Bermuda.

"If it does affect the hotel industry and people want to stay longer than three weeks, and we want to encourage them to stay as long as possible, its something that should be looked at when it relates to bona fide visitors." said Mr. Griffith.

"I don't know the extent of the problem and I am not aware of hotel guests trying to stay longer than three weeks. But if it is a fact that there are bona fide visitors who want to stay longer than three weeks and are not allowed, it should be looked at."

Mr. Allen said last night: "The Tourism Department puts out information to all visitors through a variety of sources about the conditions for staying in Bermuda.

"If they want to extend their stay, all they have to do is tell Immigration when they arrive. If they have a hotel booking its quite clear they are on vacation. Historically, the problem has been people coming here to visit and job hunting and in some cases illegally getting employed."

Mr. Allen added: "There are proper procedures in place and this has been blown out of proportion. If they are bona fide visitors it will be extended."

When asked if he thought the rules should be changed, he said: "That is in the hands of a collective decision to be taken by Cabinet and the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Terry Lister is sensitive to any problems.

"We always want Immigration to handle issues sensitively and I'm sure they do. We have to ensure our visitors are comfortable and are given the opportunity to stay on legitimately because we want them to."

Mr. Allen said Government would not allow the part-ownership of properties at the new Tucker's Point Club if owners were only allowed to visit for three weeks at a time. In these cases, the owners would be allowed to stay six months each year.