establish its new identity, a top competitiveness analyst said this week.

Monitor Company project manager Joseph Babiec was speaking at the Bermuda International Business Association's (BIBA) annual general meeting and luncheon on Tuesday.

Mr. Babiec has advised public and private sector leaders throughout South America, Eastern Europe and the European Union on issues related to economic development.

He told the gathering of businessmen and tourism officials Bermuda had a nice climate and was a wonderful community but if it wanted to boost its tourism trade it needed to compete globally.

Mr. Babiec said the real challenge the Island faced was how to be an integral part of the outside world and provide a product and service that would sustain the premier position it previously enjoyed.

There were two ways to build this productivity, he continued.

One could either do it by increasing the input to increase the output -- more is better -- or there was a more revolutionary way.

This was exponential growth and Mr. Babiec said he felt this was the route Bermuda should take.

In it the various elements necessary for successful tourism would be brought together to work with one another and increase everyone's benefits.

Countries all over the world offered multiple models of competitiveness that Bermuda could look at but it was important the Island identified the common denominators that made them successful.

Mr. Babiec said he felt there were four elements that Bermuda needed to get right.

The first was the basic environment including such areas as reliable communication and transportation and the second was that Bermuda sought out the quality of visitors it demanded.

The idea of a place that served all was fraught with peril, said Mr. Babiec.

Bermuda also had to make sure it mobilised the strengths of the Island and its interior framework -- for example hotels and activities -- needed to be effective in understanding and dealing with the needs of the customer.

There had to be discussion and co-operation among everyone involved in tourism, he said.

And they had to push toward a common goal of creating a solid foundation for the economic growth of all Bermudians through the exportation of complex products and services -- tourism.

They also had to be willing to be flexible and committed to training Bermudians in the high skills needed in the industry.

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