has sent shock waves through the upstate New York area.

According to two prominent people in the tourism industry there, Mr. Woolridge departure could mean the loss of many visitors to Bermuda.

Chairman of Whitney Radio Company and press and editorial director of Westchester Radio Stations in New York Mr. William O'Shaughnessy told The Royal Gazette Bermuda could hardly find a more qualified Tourism Minister.

"Being a part of the media, we see lots of PR (public relations) types,'' Mr.

O'Shaughnessy said. "But Jim Woolridge is sui generis. He wears us out, trying to come up with schemes to attract people to Bermuda.'' He noted that Mr. Woolridge was "well-known'' in the tourism industry abroad.

"I don't understand the Westminster System, but I respect it,'' he said.

"But we've also come to respect and admire this man.

"He is a very vivid figure against all the dullness in the tourism industry today.

"There is no island that I know with a Tourism Minister who has more knowledge, style, and ability to attract people than the Tourism Minister there (in Bermuda). You've got the best in the world in this man.'' Mr. Woolridge has been a guest at least three times on the Westchester radio station. And Mr. O'Shaughnessy pointed out that they never had to pay him.

"It's not my purses that prompts these comments,'' he said. "I just found out that he lost his portfolio.'' Mr. O'Shaughnessy said he was also told that Mr. Woolridge was offered the Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety Ministry.

"I don't think you should take a guy with his gifts and make a cop or Customs inspector out of him.'' After honeymooning in Bermuda Mr. O'Shaughnessy said he and his wife Nancy became hooked on Lyford Cay in the Bahamas until they met Mr. Woolridge who persuaded them to return to Bermuda.

In addition to being frequent visitors, Mr. O'Shaughnessy said he and his wife have sent "a lot of friends'' to Bermuda.

"Even my travel agent -- who owns two big travel agencies in the area -- says no other country or tourist destination has an advocate like Mr. Woolridge.

When he makes a speech in New York, people listen. He's exciting and intelligent. He's a genius in the tourism industry.'' Stressing that his comments should not be interpreted as a criticism of the new Tourism Minister the Hon. David Dodwell or Government, he said: "Mr.

Woolridge is so unique that if Bermuda did not have him as an advocate, it would have to invent one.'' Echoing similar sentiments, West Rochelle Travel's Mr. Richard Parisi said he believed Mr. Woolridge's ouster was "crazy''.

"He had a great working knowledge of our industry,'' Mr. Parisi said from his New York office.

Noting that he had known Mr. Woolridge for the past four years, he said: "Mr.

Woolridge listened to us when we contacted him with problems and he always took care of it.''