A leading hotelier has called on Government to bring in a full-time professional to run the Tourism Department, leaving the minister out of day to day operations.

Ariel Sands General Manager John O'Brien said the move would give greater continuity for planning, and the tourism supremo could be sacked if he was not performing.

The tourism head would report to new Tourism Minister Renee Webb and the department would run like a business, he said.

Bermuda Hotel Association (BHA) said it has no position on Mr. O'Brien's suggestion because it has never been discussed.

But BHA president Norman Mastalir revealed a new full-time director will be appointed shortly to head the Bermuda Alliance for Tourism (BAT), the liaison body jointly funded by Government and the private sector.

Mr. O'Brien told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "I would hope the new minister would look at this as a chance to make a new change and bring in an expert, someone who does it for a living, to head up the Tourism Department, and the minister would be like a director.

"They would report to her, and that's how a typical business would run. It would be someone to act as our Tourism Minister does now, to set up policy for the long term and short term and to have an agenda and following that.

"I really think they should hire someone and make them responsible, and if they are not up to the job, get another professional in to run the department.

"This would take the day to day running of operations (out of the hands of the minister). Many of my peers who I have spoken to, people I speak to on the street, and the people involved in Ariel Sands, think its a good idea.

"I understand that was the way it was years ago and people seem to think it would be a good idea to get back to that. It's not an (anti) PLP thing, it goes back a long time.

"Having a professional in would bring in a consistency, so that no matter what government was in power, you would have a programme that would not be subject to political change or a change of minister."

Mr. Mastalir said: "This is Mr. O'Brien's own position and BHA has no position because it has never been discussed.

"We are hopeful that the new minister will be supportive of the BAT process that has been set up and we are in the process of gathering resumes and we are looking to appoint a director of BAT who will bring a great deal of tourism knowledge to guide us along in having an effective relationship between Government and the private sector.

"Collectively, there is a great deal of knowledge and expertise that can move the industry forward. That is the direction we will be going and we hope to receive continued support from the new minister, and we have no reason to believe there won't be support.

"We hope the person who assumes the position will bring expertise to the table in terms of marketing and guiding us in decision-making, so it is a little bit different from what Mr. O'Brien is describing." He said around six people had applied for the BAT director's job and that it is hoped they will be interviewed by the end of the month.

If a suitable candidate is found, the appointment will be made, but if they have to cast the net wider, there will be a delay.

Mr. Mastalir said he hoped the new director, who will liaise between Tourism and the private sector to ensure they are following parallel policies and marketing strategies, will be in place by the end of the year.

Mr. Mastalir was unable to say whether the applicants for the job were all based in Bermuda.