A former Bermuda resort manager has said the Island should "go for it" and let casinos operate.

Wilhelm Sack spent 20 years running Newstead, then the Horizons cottage colony, before relocating to Puerto Rico where casinos are legal in 1996.

He is now general manager of the Horned Dorset Primavera, a 33-suite resort in Rincon on the western coast, and has also served as president of the Puerto Rico Hotel Association.

In a letter to this newspaper, Mr. Sack said: "Living on an island where casinos are established in about every major hotel, it gives me some insight (into) the effect of it on tourism.

"Our hotel has no casino but every so often we have clients who ask for it and go to one of the larger neighbouring hotels to enjoy a little gambling. We are a quiet hotel but there is an alternative available for guests looking for some entertainment that's what it is as they all have rooms attached for dancing, and one can see some amazing Salsa or merengue dancing by local people of all ages."

He continued: "The old model of tourism has changed in the world since September 11, 2001. A new order emerged, and new resorts and amenities (popped) up all over the place, and the traditional vacation places had to adapt or suffer. Any way one looks at it, we are in a new age of tourism. Amenities like spas, yoga, health and casinos, just to mention a few, are amenities guests and groups (are) looking for to make their final decision where to spend their vacation and sacred money.

"Casinos are just another important amenity for a certain segment of travellers. However, it does not mean it will save an ailing tourism industry in Bermuda or any other part of the world trying to overcome a drop in visitors."

Mr. Sack said gambling revenue is vitally important for Puerto Rico as a large part of the net profit goes to the marketing budget of the Puerto Rico tourism company.

He acknowledged that there are negative effects from gambling, noting: "I have to go to meetings often to one of the larger hotels, and it surprises me every time to see at 11 a.m (opening time of the casinos) a group of local seniors waiting to play the slot machines. Call it entertainment or wasting pension money, however, it is all part of it."

But he concluded: "For Bermuda, I would say 'go for it'. The old model of tourism does not work anymore. Look at it as entertainment for the visitors and a good source of revenue for all concerned. However, keep in mind it is not the answer for all the tourism problems. There is more to it casinos are just an additional amenity."

The notion of relaxing Bermuda's anti-gaming laws has been welcomed by hoteliers but opposed by church and political lobbyists.

The Royal Gazette reported yesterday how new research in the United States suggests casinos would make Bermuda a more attractive proposition to 27 percent of vacationers.

The findings came from New Orleans-based The Innovation Group, which has nearly finished a Government-commissioned feasibility study into the potential impact of relaxing Bermuda's anti-gaming laws.

It says casinos could provide a significant boost to tourism, particularly during winter, although it would not be enough to save the tourism industry on its own.