"pizzazz'' if visitors are to be drawn back to the Island, a Government-appointed commission was told last night.

A sparse but enthusiastic audience gathered in St. George's Town Hall to offer their advice to the Premier's Commission on Competitiveness on how Bermuda can increase its share of the world's tourism and international business markets.

Commission chairman Mr. Mansfield (Jim) Brock presided over the meeting, along with Director of Tourism Mr. Gary Phillips and commission advisor Mr. Bert Winterbottom.

"Our new (tourism) ad is a joke,'' said one man. "We still believe Bermuda is the same as it was 30 years ago. We need to refocus our marketing strategy and get more pizzazz in it.'' A taxi driver complained the current overseas marketing system results in "hotel steering'': first-time visitors, unaware of accommodation choices, are automatically steered toward major hotels.

He also said the Tourism Department must drop its "upscale visitors only'' state of mind and realise that not everyone who visits Bermuda is wealthy.

"A lot of them are just average, working class people who have spent three years saving up for this vacation,'' the driver added.

Several people said Bermudians' "attitudes'' were affecting tourism negatively. One man said locals tend to "treat visitors like they shouldn't be here''.

Audience members suggested reviving the "Bermuda Is Me'' campaign -- complete with buttons, television, radio and theatre ads -- to improve Bermudians' enthusiasm for the industry as a whole.

The empty Club Med property was also a popular subject. Suggested uses ranged from a medical facility to a performing arts college to an international business centre, although a number of people felt it could "make it'' as a hotel -- especially if it was Bermudian-owned.

Among the other suggestions put forward at the meeting were a welcome sign at the Civil Air Terminal, and the use of Paget Island for nature tours.