of the tourism doldrums.

Chamber of Commerce president David Rowntree and Bermuda Industrial Union chief Derrick Burgess said fresh ideas were badly needed.

And they supported criticism of the membership of a 14-strong tourism task force which left for Boston on Wednesday.

"We definitely need an injection of new ideas and fresh faces,'' said Mr.

Rowntree.

Mr. Burgess complained: "Tourism has many segments to it. The workers have not been considered.'' Their outburst followed Pink Beach managing director W. A. (Toppy) Cowen's claim the task force needed fresh faces.

"It's the same old, same old. We are seeing the same people spinning the same wheels,'' he said.

The group is headed by Tourism Minister David Dodwell and Finance Minister Grant Gibbons.

Others include the Bermuda Hotel Association's president Stephen Barker and executive officer John Harvey; incoming president Dennis Tucker; Tourism director Gary Phillips; deputy chairman of the Tourism Board Paul Leseur; chairman of the Tourism Board's Strategic Planning Committee Gil Tucker; chairman of the Hotel Owners' Committee Mike Mackie; director of sales for North America Paul Zar; and assistant director of tourism/marketing Pat Phillip-Bassett.

In addition, two people from the Tourism Department's advertising agency DDB Needham, and one from public relations firm, Porter/Novelli are attending.

The trip follows talks between Boston-based Monitor Company -- an agency which offers advice on tourism -- and Government and the Bank of Bermuda.

Bank of Bermuda president Charles Vaughan-Johnson said an outside agency would provide an objective analysis of Bermuda's problems, and be familiar with the competition and larger trends in the global tourism industry.

Mr. Cowen believed bankers, the Chamber of Commerce and, perhaps, the Bermuda Industrial Union could have been included.

Mr. Dodwell stressed: "This is not a `what to do' exercise, but a `how to do it' exercise.

"We are talking about methodology and how we can institute change where necessary in reengineering tourism in Bermuda and making it competitive with the world.'' Mr. Dodwell said other organisations would be involved at a later stage.

Yesterday, Mr. Rowntree and Mr. Burgess said they had some sympathy with Mr.

Cowen's position.

Said Mr. Rowntree: "From the Chamber's point of view, first of all we commend the Tourism Minister for taking the initiative and congratulate the Bank of Bermuda for stepping in and showing its good corporate citizenship. It's a very positive move on both their parts.

"But I have to agree somewhat with what Mr. Cowen is saying about the trip to Boston. In essence it's correct to say it's the same old, same old.

"Some are due for retirement and have been there for a good number of years and don't necessarily bring anything fresh to the table.

"We need fresh ideas and I wholly support the idea of the Bermuda Industrial Union and Chamber being involved.'' He added: "We've exhausted talking about the problems. Now we need to come up with solutions and act on them. What we don't need is another report.'' Mr. Rowntree said the ideas of businessman John Casling and his Coalition for Change were not new -- but none had been acted on.

"The community needs to get together and work together as a team instead of talking separately and criticising one another.'' He added: "In 1992, we in the Chamber recognised the downturn of the economy and we definitely saw the need of something positive and that's why we created Harbour Nights and Heritage Nights in St. George's.

"The Chamber is willing to work with the Minister. I think he is doing a very good job, but we definitely need an injection of fresh faces and new ideas. We endorse that train of thought.

"The Chamber is looking forward to working with Mr. Dodwell and eagerly anticipate an invitation to do so.'' BIU president Mr. Burgess said it appeared the Boston group were placing only one segment of tourism under the spotlight.

"Tourism has more than one segment and the workers have not been considered.

"What's the sense is going there to discuss part of the problem when the people who work and maintain the industry are not considered.'' He added: "It would be a bit late to involve other organisations down the road because we have to look at the whole picture now, including the labour, product and the plant. You can't leave one segment of it out.''