Cabinet has not scheduled a time yet to discuss a Bermuda Alliance for Tourism (BAT) report warning the visitor industry is in crisis and in need of a $15 million marketing initiative, Tourism Minister Renee Webb said yesterday.

Meanwhile, a winter marketing blitz has been prepared to help the Island recover after Hurricane Fabian.

And a more concerted marketing effort will be made in the first quarter of next year in preparation for the re-opening in the spring of major hotels such as the Fairmont Southampton and Sonesta Beach Resort, said Ms Webb.

The BAT report, which Ms Webb received last Monday, was leaked to the Mid-Ocean News last Friday and called for an extra $15 million for marketing over three years.

BAT, which comprises of members of the private and public sector such as the Department of Tourism, said in its report that tourism was in a state of crisis.

"If we do not inject a major investment in Bermuda's tourism product now, we may never make up the ground we have lost to our competition," said the report.

"Before Hurricane Fabian, Bermuda's tourism industry was struggling, holding on by a thread. Post Hurricane Fabian, the industry is dying a slow, insidious death."

According to the Mid-Ocean News report, BAT recommends the Department of Tourism and Bermuda Hotel Association put together an initial marketing plan by the end of this month.

When asked yesterday if it was feasible to have an initial marketing plan by the end of this month, Ms Webb told The Royal Gazette to ask BAT that question, because that organisation made the recommendation.

Ms Webb said Cabinet has not had time to discuss the BAT report because she received it last Monday, left the Island the following day, and was only back at work yesterday.

"I haven't had the chance to tell Cabinet about it," she said.

"When it was in the paper would have been the first time they heard about it. It has funding implications and I can't take those decisions because Finance makes those decisions.

"I have no idea when it will be discussed because it hasn't been put on the agenda."

When asked if it was feasible to have a quick implementation of the BAT recommendations, Ms Webb said: "I have no idea. If it goes forward it would have to go to Parliament for a supplementary budget.

"There is a whole process to go through. No one in Finance is just going to just write me a $15 million cheque. I have read the report and I will be getting back to them (BAT) once a decision has been made with respect to how we move forward.

"I am not going to comment on the report. I have had a letter of apology from the chairman of BAT (Norman Mastalir) to say they don't know who leaked it and they are sorry.

"We all believe we are working in good faith and it is unfortunate when someone goes to the media and leaks reports."

On the BAT conclusion that tourism is in crisis, Ms Webb said: "Tourism has always been in crisis.

"The question is how do we fix it. What are we prepared to do to remain competitive. Do we keep the same old same old, and get the same results. We have to take hard decisions and everyone is on board to make those decisions."

Meanwhile, another consultants' report on branding Bermuda as a destination has just gone to Cabinet, she said.