Government could be asked to support a new unified hoteliers' association which aims to set the stage for tourism recovery.

Following last week's agreement, which saw 80 percent of the Island's accommodations come together under one organisational umbrella, hoteliers are now keen to move forward fast.

But they require funding to support the new group, which will take the form of three divisions representing the different sections of the industry, dependent on hotel size. Each will have a director who reports to the main board.

As hotels already pay between $25 and $35 a year per room as members of the Bermuda Hotel Association (BHA), there is a feeling any additional cash should come from elsewhere.

A possibility could be using a portion of occupancy tax, currently collected on each room.

A BHA statement released following Wednesday's meeting stressed it was vital that the new association was manned by the "degree of talent necessary''.

It said: "Professional staff will cost and it is equally clear that Bermuda's currently diminished hotel inventory cannot absorb those costs. We must seek alternative methods of funding.'' Reacting to the outcome of the meeting, Cambridge Beaches president Mike Winfield said it was fundamental, as the number of rooms Island-wide dipped to its lowest point for years, that hoteliers were unified rather than disparate.

"It was the first, most essential step in getting the industry turned around,'' he said.

"By being totally representative, being a very effective lobby, we can also be a very important voice in the community.'' He added it was vital the funding issue was sorted out, since the organisation could no longer rely on the goodwill of volunteers to fulfil the expanded role.

The new association would also tie in with the work of the private sector conduit group, he said.

The BHA statement said a tremendous amount was accomplished at Wednesday's meeting at Elbow Beach, which followed a summit at Cambridge Beaches earlier this year and initial meetings last September.

It said the interim group of directors were charged with certain tasks to report back to the whole group in two months time.

"The salient point is that the vast majority of Bermuda's hotel inventory have got together for the betterment of the hotel industry as a whole,'' the statement said.

"We believe this may be regarded as one of the most significant steps forward that the hotel industry and, by definition, Bermuda's tourism industry has taken in a very long time.'' The interim directors are Christopher "Kit'' Astwood, Muriel Richardson, William Griffith, Norman Mastalir, Michael Kaile, Michael Williams, Alan Paris, David Dodwell, Michael Winfield, Dennis Tucker, J.P. Martens, Delaey Robinson, Hartmut Zunk and Andrea Flood.

The BHA stands for the Bermuda Hotel Association, not Bermuda Hospitality Association, as incorrectly printed.