The Seventh Annual Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference kicked off at the Fairmont Southampton Princess yesterday with neither the Premier or the Tourism Minister present.

Yesterday, the Premier Jennifer Smith was travelling to the tenth annual Mealey's Insurance Insolvency and Reinsurance Round Table conference which runs until Saturday in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Yesterday, Acting Tourism Minister Randy Horton said he believed Tourism Minister Renee Webb was off the Island on business and the Government press office was not able to shed further light on the matter.

Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell said: "They might be away on Government business but it is still disappointing they are not here for the conference.

"It's been planned for almost two years."

Acting Premier Alex Scott told delegates that tourism needed to be helped but a balance needed to be kept to maintain the Caribbean's culture and natural beauty.

Mr. Horton said Bermuda's Hotel Concession Act 2000 had been a landmark piece of legislation which had led to led to $300 million of new investment while a further $200 million was on the cards.

Caribbean Hotels Association President Simon Suarez said he was delighted to see 293 delegates had made the trip which far exceeded the expectations given the circumstances.

He said tourism would bounce back despite the war.