Bermuda will automatically become an associate member of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) when it next meets, the organisation said yesterday.

The Island's application was turned down at the WTO summit in Beijing this month following objections from Spain that Bermuda was a British colony, not a country.

WTO press officer Rok Klancnik said all the major members of the WTO agreed Bermuda's application was legitimate.

But Spain, Russia and France and did not want to admit any new associate members until the rules are refined, he said.

A WTO working group is looking at amending the rules.

"When this is done, there will be no votes about Bermuda's candidacy at the next general assembly. Bermuda will be accepted automatically as an associate member" said Mr. Klancnik.