out the mess it's made with the tourism industry, Leader of the Opposition PLP Jennifer Smith yesterday told The Royal Gazette .

"But finally somebody's stepped in to help,'' she said.

"The hopeful sign is it appears Government is admitting it finally needs help. I find it interesting though that the initiative had to come from the Bank.'' Ms Smith was reacting to reports the Ministry of Tourism and the Bank of Bermuda have been working on a joint effort, with the aid of Boston-based Monitor Company, to whip the Island's tourism industry back into shape.

"What this says is that Government is in serious difficulty, can't make decisions, and can't operate on its own,'' she added.

The Opposition Leader however welcomed news of the joint undertaking and said the PLP had no quarrel with the private sector stepping in to lend a hand.

Indeed she noted, the Bermuda Industrial Union has long been pushing for cooperation and inclusion, wanting to work together to stabilise jobs and growth within the tourism sector.

The PLP also agrees with the Coalition for Change, who have recently charged the UBP Government has for the past 15 years mismanaged the Island's number-one industry.

And Ms Smith added, more needs to be known about the Monitor group, though from what she knows of them she holds them in high esteem.

"From what I've read it sounds like they're just going to organise us to do the work,'' she said.