A radical blueprint to transform to Island's ailing tourism industry will be unveiled today by Tourism Minister David Allen.

The Bermuda Alliance for Tourism plan -- which has emerged after a year's work from the public/private sector `conduit alliance' -- will lay out a long-term strategy to put the industry back on its feet.

It will focus on improving the quality of the product on the Island, providing first class training for hospitality employees, and improving a marketing strategy to target wealthy visitors who can afford to come here.

The Royal Gazette understands a full-time officer will be employed to implement the strategy and a permanent steering group with a public sector and private sector chairman will be established.

Two committees from the public and private sector have spent the past year looking at two key areas: how to market the Island properly to the wealthy tourists who can afford Bermuda; and improving the product and service on the Island.

It is understood the far-reaching strategy will emphasise that everyone who comes into contact with tourists -- from taxi drivers through to waiters -- will have to realise the important role they have to play.

The conduit alliance, involving Government and key players in the hospitality industry such as the Bermuda Hotel Association (BHA), has been working frantically behind the scenes for the past year to devise the strategy.

It will be unveiled at a press conference today by Mr. Allen and leading industry figures such as BHA President Billy Griffith.

Mr. Allen did not respond to questions yesterday and Mr. Griffith was reluctant to reveal any details.

He said: "We will be unveiling a unique collaboration between the public and private sector for the enhancement and improvement of tourism which I expect to consolidate the industry effort.'' The plan is being made public on the day the House of Assembly is to debate a United Bermuda Party motion on the state of tourism.

Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell said he suspected the announcement was designed to usurp the debate, noting that Premier Jennifer Smith had asked the Opposition to hold the debate today.

"It has taken David Allen two and a half years to come up with a product plan, and isn't it interesting he's doing it on the same day as the tourism motion?'' Mr. Dodwell said last night.

"I have been told this is happening, and it is clearly an attempt to usurp or minimise the Opposition motion which has been on the order paper for weeks and delayed until tomorrow at the Premier's request.''