The Premier accused taxi drivers of allowing standards to slip. Yesterday Premier Ewart Brown unveiled the second quarter tourism statistics which he said indicated that the induustry was thriving and new hotels were required to meet the demand for rooms.

B ut he also pointed out that various sectors within the industry needed to improve, particularly taxis which he believes are vital to the success of tourism. He spoke after receiving complaints from three hoteliers this week, who said performance standards had slipped and taxis were routinely turning up late for jobs. Premier Ewart Brown, who is also the Tourism and Transport Minister, said: "Once again I am appealing to taxi operators to ensure that Bermudians and visitors are properly served. "If we cannot service the current visitor sector, what will happen when the number of visitors is almost double? What will service levels be like when new hotels are in place?

And the Premier's Press Secretary Glenn Jones said Dr. Brown viewed the "mounting complaints is indicative of an industry not fully committed to their customers or is unable to fully serve them".