Government's lucrative travel business, which last year was handed controversially to one company, is being put out to tender.

Travel agents were in uproar last year when, without consultation, Cabinet Office sent a memo directing all Government departments to do business with a single company -- Travel Planners.

Government is predicting its travel budget will soar by 48 percent in the coming year to $4,408,000.

In the past, several travel agents shared the business as individual departments were free to select the company of their choice.

But the Ministry of Finance has placed an advert this week asking travel agents to express interest in providing travel services for ministers and civil servants.

However, it was unclear whether all Government business will be placed in the hands of one company or whether it will shared out.

Government Information Services was unable yesterday to say why the account had now been placed out to tender.

When asked for details yesterday, Accountant General Anthony Richardson told The Royal Gazette : "We'll follow normal process which is that to those who respond, we will respond to them.'' When asked if one company will be selected, he said: "It's not a decision for me to make.'' Bermuda Travel Agents Association protested last November when it found out Cabinet Office had directed all Government departments to do business solely with Travel Planners.

Other travel agents were angry because they were caught cold by the move and were not given an opportunity to pitch for the exclusive contract.

Patti Daly Franklin, the president of the Bermuda Travel Agents Association, said yesterday: "It's a good idea for any government to put out business for tender because it makes it fair for everyone.'' She said she did not know why the business had now been put out to tender.

"I just saw the advert in the paper like everyone else,'' she said.

Mrs. Franklin said in the past, all travel agents had some of the business, although she could not recall it being put out to tender.

Individual Government departments had chosen which travel agent they wished to use.