of its first ever industry forum in April.

Plans are underway for a much bigger National Tourism Conference to be staged late in 2001.

It would feature major hospitality partners from around the world, as well as Island businesses.

Letters have been sent to hoteliers and others who attended the first conference earlier this year, held at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, to assess the level of interest in another event.

The first event heard from a multitude of industry speakers and overseas representatives of Bermuda's tourism partners. They outlined the challenges facing tourism and came up with themes for regeneration.

A report on the conference, compiled by Duncan Hall of Access Communications, identified 12 common issues that could underpin any revival of the industry.

The education and training of young Bermudians was considered critical, especially making the hospitality industry an attractive career option.

Value for money, providing customers with a better level of service for their money and offering entertainment, but not casinos, was also raised.

It also highlighted the need for labour peace on the Island, calling for money once spent on settling industrial disputes to be diverted to education or investment in the infrastructure.

Finding a solution to the high cost of airline tickets was also important, delegates said.

And the potential business in baby boomers, both in Europe and North America, was identified as a possible area of growth.

POLICE SEND PYRAMID SCHEMES FILE TO DPP AG Police send pyramid schemes file to DPP Six months after they began their investigation into pyramid schemes, Police have finally submitted a file to Director of Public Prosecutions Khamisi Tokunbo.

A Police spokesman confirmed the file was sent last week to Mr. Tokunbo, who will decide if anyone is to face criminal prosecutions.

News of the money-making schemes began sweeping the Island in January.

Police were made aware in February that officers were running the schemes from Police headquarters in Prospect. The Royal Gazette was told the names of several officers allegedly involved.

In January, former Crown counsel Peter Eccles gave a legal opinion that pyramid schemes were illegal.

In the House of Assembly on July 7, Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox said Police were hampered in their investigation by the extreme reluctance of people to give information.

Mr. Tokunbo did not return telephone calls to The Royal Gazette yesterday.

BID TO MOVE POLICE STATION AT `DISCUSSION STAGE' POL Bid to move Police station at `discussion stage' Plans to relocate the St. George's Police Station to a building at Southside are still in the discussion stage, it was revealed yesterday.

Police are conducting a needs analysis review to assess the cost of renovating the existing station to meet their needs before a decision is made on whether or not to move.

Commissioner of Police Jean-Jacques Lemay said "there needs to be money to move to a new building'' and added "we looked at a building on Southside and determined it to be an ideal location, but plans were subject to Government consent''.

Mr. Lemay said: "The focus is to find something if the St. George's Police Station is not able to be renovated.'' The escape of Brian Carlton Rogers from the station highlights the need for improved facilities, not only for the staff, but for prisoners also.

Currently there is one washroom facility for men, women and prisoners and prisoner cells are located outside the main building.

BPSA TO HEAR OF PROGRESS IN CIVIL REFORM UNS BPSA to hear of progress in civil service reform Trade unionists will be informed of the progress being made in reforming the Island's civil service at a public meeting next week.

Cabinet Secretary John Drinkwater, head of the Civil Service Stanley Oliver, Personnel Services Director Judith Hall-Bean and Transport Permanent Secretary Herman Tucker will address the Bermuda Public Services Association meeting.

The role of the secretary to the Cabinet has been split into two -- a Cabinet Secretary and a head of the Civil Service -- and a centralised policy unit is being formed.

The meeting is taking place tomorrow at the BPSA headquarters at Cedar Avenue and Angle Street, Hamilton.

TOURISM TOU