place to visit and that its reputation causes some potential visitors to go elsewhere. A widely held reputation acquired over a long period of time is hard to get rid of but we must try.

Bermuda is, of course, expensive for Americans who live in one of the few relatively cheap countries left on earth. For Canadians it seems costly because the exchange rate is very unfavourable. However, for many Europeans, especially those from metropolitain areas, Bermuda is not expensive.

But the reality is that Bermuda gets most of its visitors from North America and, therefore, is expensive for its customers. That situation is unlikely to change very quickly. Just for now, set aside all the issues of a warm welcome and friendly service, although those too need addressing.

We must concentrate on ways to make Bermuda less expensive to visit. Some of those will take a great deal of work and will of necessity have to be major projects. The two things which visitors complain about most are the 15 percent gratuity added to bills and the departure tax which they see as the final grab for money. The time has come to examine both these issues. But we think there are small changes which will improve Bermuda's image with very little loss of revenue.

We must start by being very careful not to give the impression of gouging every penny from the visitor. Over the years we have added a charge here and a charge there until we seem like a Country with its hand always out.

Begin at the Airport and stop charging for baggage carts. For many people the carts are a necessity. Abroad, some airports charge and some do not but the charge is annoying especially in an Airport which is going to hit you with a departure tax.

Give visitors a small welcome package which includes vouchers for three free rides on public transport. This might result in a second benefit of easing complaints about the need for exact bus change and the conduct of bus drivers.

In the package include free admission to some of Bermuda's attractions on a certain day of the week, whichever day is slow for the attractions. If not that, let's sell an overall ticket to four or five attractions at a good price...the Bermuda Aquarium, the Maritime Museum, a cave, a National Trust museum and the National Gallery.

There are other areas where we could keep people happy.

We need a booklet on "Bargain Bermuda'', pointing out things to do which are free and less expensive places to stay, to eat, to drink and to be entertained. They do exist but too often visitors do not find them.

The object should be to demonstrate that Bermuda is not as expensive as it sometimes appears and to give visitors a break where we can.