A DATABASE of entertainers and venues is about to be launched in a bid to boost the island's flagging nightlife.

The initiative is just one of a slew of proposals developed by the Implementation Task Force, a committee of tourism industry stakeholders charged with providing more night-time entertainment on the island.

And Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell believes providing visitors with evening activities is "the Number One challenge" facing Bermuda's tourism industry at the moment.

Mr. Dodwell, who is a member of the ITF, spoke out following calls by some entertainers for cruise ships to be banned from putting on live shows while in port. Protesters believe a ban would encourage passengers to leave the ship and patronise local night spots on dry land.

Yesterday Mr. Dodwell said that an immediate ban would be "a knee-jerk" reaction, but that the issue did need to be addressed.

"I think it would be difficult right now to impose a ban," Mr. Dodwell said.

"But the season is nearly over and we have now got a huge incentive to focus on this problem before the start of next season.

"The ITF is a cross-section of people and what we're trying to do is see how we can implement recommendations to rejuvenate entertainment because we are hugely challenged in that area."

Mr. Dodwell acknowledged that a large number of cruise passengers never leave the ship and that cruise liners do have massive advantages over local establishments when providing entertainment for guests.

But he added that other jurisdictions were able to attract passengers ashore without the need for an entertainment ban

"I believe in market forces working and I think it would be wrong to shut everything down on the cruise ships once they are in port," he said.

"We have to look for solutions so that imposing a ban won't be necessary because people will want to come.

"Perhaps reducing the amount of entertainment onboard is one solution."

Mr. Dodwell also criticised Government for failing to promote island entertainment and claimed that one-off events such as this summer's Movies on the Beach initiative were more popular with residents than visitors.

"In my view they are wonderful PR exercises to show that Government is doing something, but how many visitors attend these events?" Mr. Dodwell asked.

"There's a lot of money being spent on these things but it could be put to better use going to venues and musicians providing entertainment in Hamilton.

"There could be duty incentives for entertainers who cater to visitors. We need to ask how we can help entertainers provide the product.

"We don't have enough for our guests to do at night.

"Harbour Nights is one answer and I like the idea of that sort of thing because it's sustained entertainment. We need to make Bermuda as alive at night as it is during the day."