Tourism Minister David Allen heard some home truths yesterday during a "clear the air'' meeting over staff unrest in his department.

He said he was pleased with the outcome and said further meetings with the 38 staff were planned for the future.

The summit was called by the Minister after The Royal Gazette revealed that there was a feeling amongst tourism staff in Bermuda and abroad that his "hands-on'' approach was stifling their own work.

And they were upset at too much interference and a lack of consultation from the Minister.

Mr. Allen said he was very pleased with the dialogue at the meeting, which was attended by Head of the Civil Service Stanley Oliver and a representative of the Bermuda Public Services Association.

"There were some good suggestions and some of which will be implemented. I got a better understanding of where they stand and they got a better understanding of where I stand,'' he said.

"We will continue with individual meetings to see how we can work better together to get the job done.

"I wanted to hear their views. I wanted them to hear my views. I asked them to be candid.

"They know I am a hands-on type of person who like to get some things done yesterday, that is part of my style. What I wanted to get was accountability.

they recognise that I have concerns about getting the job done, how I can help them to get the job done.'' He said a similar meeting had been held at a travel fair in Las Vegas with overseas regional managers.

The Minister said many staff had a particular way of doing things, and it was a matter of getting on the same wavelength.

In addition, he said it was the first time in many years that the Department of Tourism had had a full time Minister.

"I am here on a day to day basis, because that is what the Premier wanted and that is what the electorate wanted. Everyone knew there was a job to be done.'' He added that Mr. Oliver and the director of tourism Richard Calderon were both pleased with the outcome.

Last night, Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell fired back that Mr. Allen had failed to learn the lesson that he was involved in policy direction and not implementation.

"He should be listening not reacting,'' he said.

David Allen