has long been operated by the Chamber of Commerce may not be a sound one. The Opposition Shadow Ministers of Tourism and Transport have both objected and Government should not dismiss their objections without a good deal of thought.

We think that Mr. David Allen and Mr. Dennis Lister have a valid point to make.

Both Shadow Ministers see this as a loss of service to visitors and we agree.

It may be that there is a lack of space for the desk in the new arrangements at the Airport but that could be short sighted. The Shadow Ministers consider the desk an important facility and it would seem to be just that in terms of good public relations if nothing else.

Bermuda is struggling to revive tourism and everything we can do to help, we should do. One of the problems with tourism has been Bermuda's need to be more user friendly and certainly not less used friendly. It would not be a good situation if visitors arriving at the Airport did not receive the care and assistance they need. Sometimes they do not really need assistance but do need their hand held a little and the Service Bureau was there.

There have been complaints in the past about the Airport welcome and we must wonder how many people who might have complained had a good experience at the Visitor's Service Bureau desk and then felt a good deal better about the welcome.

We are told that the desk serves an average of one person a day in finding hotel accommodation, but how many inquiries are there about other things? How many people does the desk reassure? How many people have what might seem like very minor questions answered but feel reassured and more welcome to Bermuda for having done so? Tourism Minister David Dodwell has said tourism brochure stands will be set up but they will lack the personal touch and prevent questions and answers and that may not be enough. "How can we help you enjoy Bermuda?'' is a world away from a brochure stand. There will also be a new desk outside the Customs area but that too will not be manned.

It seems to us that where tourism is concerned, Bermuda has to put the convenience of the visitor first. For far too long we arranged tourism matters to suit ourselves and not the visitor and we all know the results. Visitors are strangers to Bermuda. They do not know how things work the way local residents do. Sometimes they need help. We should be very careful that that help is available.