into line to boost the industry.

Visitor Industry Partnership chairman E. Michael Jones said: "We would like young people to come forward and come up with suggestions and form their own committee within the partnership.

"It means they can do something which can make their own statement. We would love to sit down with them and find out how they would like to be involved.'' Mr. Jones said his parents worked in the hotel industry under "the worst conditions,'' yet that period was now being hailed as the golden age of service and the industry on the Island.

He added: "They did that so they could make it better for us -- I would like to throw down the challenge to those who will come after us.

"I have enjoyed what my parents gave to me -- we need to think what we are going to do for the next generation which comes along, as opposed to living off the fat.

"We need to make sure that we are listening to the cry of those who haven't had a bit of the gravy -- we need to make it better for the next group to come along.'' Mr. Jones admitted that the Bermuda Hotel Association had not handed over the $100,000 Government had hoped for to help get VIP off the ground.

But he said: "We are putting together some programmes which we are going to put to the Hotel Association as opposed to the Hotel Association giving us $100,000 and saying `go spend that.' '' He added: "We don't want to just take handouts -- we don't want to take the blank cheque and go and spend it.'' Mr. Jones said that tourism was the basis of Bermuda's prosperity and the foundation on which all other business -- including international business -- rested.

He pointed out that, if it was not for the tourist trade, there would fewer flights to the Island, which would make less attractive for globe-trotting and the mail service would suffer.

Mr. Jones said: "It's vitally important for young people to realise that we need to nurture tourism because if we don't, all the other industries will come to naught.'' He was speaking as he announced the appointment of full-time administrator Suzanne DeCouto to the volunteer group, which is based in Bermuda College's Paget campus.

Ms DeCouto, president of the Hotel Professionals' Association and a graduate of Bermuda College, said she would not have signed up to boost the industry if she thought it was in terminal decline.

She said: "I believe in this industry -- and I believe if the community gets together and works as a community we can definitely help it out.

"Being here all my life, growing up and graduating from the college, I know that something can be done if all believe it can be done. I am looking forward to the challenge.''