Bermuda has endorsed a "travellers bill of rights'' designed to make it easier for vacationers to move around the world.

Tourism Minister David Allen was one of two Tourism officials invited to draft the declaration at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The rule aims to minimise bureaucracy and make travel more accessible to all people.

Only recently, one of Mr. Allen's own civil servants, Charles Webbe, ran into trouble at Frankfurt airport and was refused entry -- despite having the correct documentation.

And it emerged afterwards that the German Consul General's office received several complaints from Bermudians who had suffered similar treatment at the hands of border guards.

Mr. Allen became involved in the draft after taking part in a travel and tourism forum.

The heavily criticised reception featuring a Bermudian entertainment contingent went down "spectacularly well'' according to the Minister, with over 100 people attending.

"It was tremendous,'' he said. "I don't think Bermuda has ever had a higher profile there.'' But Mr. Allen directed questions about the summit itself to Premier Jennifer Smith and Finance Minister Eugene Cox, who he said both had their own platforms there.

And at the Premier's request, Mr. Allen stayed on at the summit to take part in the tourism workshop. There he stepped into the breach and made a speech to bosses of travel companies, airlines and other tourism executives, after one of the delegates had to pull out at the last minute.

TOURISM TOU