Workers will suffer if Government's tourism policy does not turn the industry around soon, an Opposition MP has claimed.

And C.V. (Jim) Woolridge -- a former Tourism Minister -- said "the buck'' stops with Tourism Minister David Allen when it comes to the current advertising campaign.

Mr. Woolridge also hit out at negative comments about closing down larger hotels from Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson, saying they do not help the situation by scaring off potential hotel buyers.

Mr. Woolridge was speaking after a series of newspaper articles in which the Minister claimed the current advertising campaign was a success and in June hotels had been sold out.

Mr. Allen was also reported to have said the Island was sold out throughout the summer, but he said the next day that he was misquoted.

Hoteliers hit back the next day, saying there may be lay-offs if occupancy levels drop below 70 percent during July.

Even the following day, hotelier Michael Kaile said this month was "do or die'' for the industry.

"I have to ask who do we believe and who do we not believe,'' Mr. Woolridge said. "The Minister says he was misquoted but I think he misquotes himself.'' Referring to claims by Mr. Allen that phone calls to the Island's 1-800 number had increased 400 percent since the start of the advertising campaign, Mr.

Woolridge said: "The Minister says his campaign is working. But phone calls are only inquiries.'' He added: "Hotel workers will appreciate that you can't count a booking until a person occupies a bed. If what Mr. Allen says is correct and we're booked solid, then people will start to make alternative reservations.'' Mr. Woolridge also challenged Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson's comments that the Island could close some large hotels.

Mr. Woolridge asked where local workers would go for alternative employment if their hotels were closed to rid the Island of foreign workers.

And he wondered where Government would find the lost revenue if large hotels were closed down.

"I would like the Government to address these issues,'' Mr. Woolridge said.

"We must replace our tourist and hotel losses with something of value.'' He added: "The statement of Mr. Hodgson sends the wrong message to the investors and potential investors of Par-la-Ville, Belmont, Castle Harbour, Lantana, and Morgan's Point. It's the wrong signal.

"Let's get Bermuda back to where it used to be. He says he was misquoted. But the hoteliers were very upset.'' Speaking about the comparison ads hitting out at the Hamptons and Long Island, Mr. Woolridge said the campaign was faulty in its aims.

"There are so many positive things about Bermuda that we don't have to stoop to that level,'' he said. "The buck stops with the Minister. He's responsible. We have sunk to an all-time low.''