fly in for "college weeks'', which kicked off this week with a scant 150 students.

The estimate is a far cry from the 1970s and early 1980s when up to 14,000 sun and fun-seeking students flocked to the Island between March and mid-April for spring break.

Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge was hoping for more students this year.

But he said sun was the main attraction and Bermuda did not have enough of it at this time of year.

"Cancun (Mexico) is where they are going now. It just went on a hotel-building spree and nowhere else can compete with its prices and 85-95-degree temperatures.

"We need to rebuild the programme -- but there's the age-old problem of sun.'' He added: "Nevertheless, all those who arrived this week indicated they thought our programme was the finest. We really plan it well.'' The annual March 8 to April 8 "college weeks'' programme includes beach parties at Elbow and Horseshoe Beaches with free live entertainment, a free cruise to Dockyard and a farewell party.

The dismal bookings prompted Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen to say, "Bermuda has lost the (college weeks) market. We have lost it to Cancun, the Bahamas and a lot of other places. And the UBP Government has allowed this to happen -- these (the students) are the people who come back for their honeymoon, conventions or family holidays.'' But Mr. Woolridge vowed, "We will get it back.'' Mr. Woolridge said due to budget cuts the Ministry was unable to hire a local band this year to tour American college campuses and sell Bermuda for spring break.

Hopefully there would be enough funds to hire one next year, he said, adding the idea "needed to be revived''.

The Ministry might also look at better promoting the sporting activities Bermuda offers, he added.

He said he felt the Ministry had done enough advertising, sending spring break brochures to numerous colleges and buying spots on campus radio stations.

However, Mr. Allen, blasting Government for cutting the Tourism Ministry's budget, said not nearly enough advertising had been done.

"It is not the area for budget cuts,'' he said. "Other destinations are beefing up their expenditure on advertising while Bermuda is cutting back!'' A PLP Government would completely re-do Bermuda's "staid and stuffy'' advertising campaign to encourage younger people to visit.