his comments reported in The Royal Gazette .

Mr. Allen blamed Government's lack of foresight in its tax policy for the declining air arrivals this year and suggested that a weekend cruise ship and lower taxes during the winter months was one solution to the industry's current problems.

But Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge criticised many of the solutions Mr. Allen proposed, although there was agreement on other matters.

Mr. Woolridge said he shared Mr. Allen's view that taxes on hotels should be kept minimal, and a big challenge would be dealing with the perception that Bermuda is an expensive destination.

"I am all for keeping such taxes down,'' he said in a prepared statement.

"But there is not one body of research that would suggest that visitors are choosing not to come to Bermuda because of the Airport tax.

"The irritant of having to pay at the Airport has now been removed and complaints are now almost non-existent.'' Mr. Woolridge said tourism officials meet with the principals of the cruise ship industry on a regular basis.

"(They) have made it abundantly clear that even if the Government reduced or eliminated taxes, they would not commit to regularly scheduled sailing between November and March.

"The call for weekend cruise ship visits would only serve to dilute the existing market in my view.'' Mr. Woolridge said a cursory reading of Mr. Allen's comments regarding culture and eco-tourism may lead a reader to believe that the Ministry was doing nothing.

And this, he said, was untrue.

"Our last campaign for the November to March season was based on Bermuda as a cultural open house and was supported by the museums, the National Trust and many other such entities.'' BIKE CATCHES FIRE FIR Bike catches fire Fire trucks were dispatched by the Bermuda Fire Services when a cycle was reported on fire at Slippery Hill in St. George's on July 9 at 11.33 p.m.

Two units were dispatched from Hamilton Fire Station and two more from St.

George's Fire Station along with 15 personnel in total.

The Police reported at 11.47 p.m. that the fire was out and the first unit arrived at 11.52 p.m. from St. George's to find the cycle covered in soil.

Fire Services believe the fire was started due to human error and the owner had put the fire out by throwing soil on top of the cycle.

Approximately $400 worth of damage was caused to the cycle's gas tank, seat, engine and cables.