Tourism is in crisis in Bermuda and the only way forward is for local companies to team together and work to find a solution.

According to Bermuda Chamber of Commerce's president Chris Dapena the local economy is being bolstered by international business.

And in the monthly Chamber Newsline, Mrs. Dapena said that all local businesses have a vested interest in strengthening the economy through both tourism and international business.

"There has never been a time when your membership in the Chamber of Commerce has been more vital,'' she said.

"Tourism is in crisis and neither Government nor anyone of us acting alone can remedy the situation. Not only is it more important than ever that the Chamber serve Bermuda's business community, but it is also critical that the business community join hands through the Chamber to turn the trend around.'' She pointed to the fact that many of Bermuda's businesses have struggled forward on their own over the years with the problems of dwindling numbers of tourists.

She said: "Now, however, it has become apparent that even that portion of Bermuda's economy which has seemed immune to the effects of tourism's downturn are also highly likely to be affected by it.'' Mrs. Dapena went on to say that the infrastructure which has been supported by tens of thousands of tourists has been part of Bermuda's attraction to international business such as the air connections, telecommunications and good hotels with both leisure and business facilities.

And she warned: "Somewhere on our downward trend line lies the point below which it will become inconvenient for international businesses to try to run their day to day operations from what is already an expensive domicile.'' Mrs. Dapena added that the international business sector had contributed greatly to the support of the economy while tourism has declined. She said this has masked the "potentially devastating'' effects of the fall in tourism.

She said scores of businesses which see themselves as being strictly `local' in fact derive substantial benefit from the commerce of well-heeled guest residents.

`Tourism in crisis' Bermudians whose own income has been increased by the presence of this part of the community.

"Whether we are selling shoes or groceries or real estate, we're all selling more of it because of international business.'' She warned, however, that international business was not tied to the Island in the same way the traders -- the sellers of shoes, groceries and real estate -- were.

"It is local businesses who have a vested interest in ensuring that the foundation of our economy is strengthened,'' said Mrs. Dapena.

"The time has clearly come for Bermudian businesses to begin to work together to turn the trend around, and the Chamber is the logical place to do that.

"We are not just about board meetings and committee meetings. We're not just about power breakfasts and Harbour Nights. The chamber has volunteered to step in to carry on the initiatives that were started by the Monitor Group.'' She added the tourism competitive network was meeting regularly at the Chamber's offices to not only sustain programmes in place, but to generate new ideas.

"More business must recognise the need to become involved. New ideas emerge through the active participation of members and will only succeed where enough businesses collaborate to create a "critical mass''.

"You cannot sit back and wait for the Chamber to help you. You must be willing to be part of the solution. The solution will not happen without your help. Right now, Bermuda does not have options -- we must innovate and we must succeed in turning the trend around.'' BUSINESS BUC