when droves of Britons and Europeans are reported to be heading west for holidays because of the falling US dollar, the Shadow Tourism Minister said yesterday.

Mr. David Allen called on Government to start spending some "serious money'' on promoting Bermuda in Europe.

He said for Bermuda to take advantage of the European tourist market we needed an air carrier out of the continent. And for that to happen, he said Government would have to sink large sums of money into promoting Bermuda in Europe.

"I think the old saying that we must spend money to make money rings true in this case,'' he said.

"Last year was a record year for European tourism in the US. It's a shame Bermuda has not been able to capitalise on this great influx when we should be because we are on a level playing ground.'' Mr. Allen was referring to the fact the US dollar is on par with the Bermuda dollar and can be used as legal tender here.

Having a marketing representative in Europe was not enough to heighten awareness of the Island's attractions, Mr. Allen said, nor was the amount of advertising currently being done in the country.

"The PLP has been saying for years Bermuda should be promoted much more in Europe. But we have hardly tapped the tip of the iceberg there.'' Mr. Allen said.

He claimed the reason more Europeans were not vacationing in Bermuda was that they were simply not aware that the Island was "a good buy''.

He pointed to golf and scuba diving as attractions which would lure Europeans, especially Germans, to Bermuda.

"There is a very high percentage of scuba divers in Germany, but a very low level of awareness of our diving facilities,'' he said. "And golf is very expensive in Germany -- membership and greens fees are atrocious over there.

But they are a relatively good buy in Bermuda and Germans are avid golfers.'' To get the interest of an international airline, Mr. Allen suggested securing occasional charter flights -- such as golf or tennis charters -- from Europe to Bermuda to "show a market exists''.

He added Europeans spend double the vacation time Americans spend here and have more spending power.

"Obviously there are budget constraints right now, but when it comes to tourism and international business we should not be cutting back,'' he said.

According to the US Travel and Tourism Administration, 1.5 million Germans will visit the United States this year and 2.7 million Britons, increases of eight percent and seven percent respectively.

Reuters news agency recently reported that because of the low dollar-pound exchange, hotel rates were about 12 percent less than when there was a more typical $1.75 to the pound exchange rate.

For two consecutive trading sessions, the dollar, undermined by low interest rates in the United States, has hit all-time lows against the modern German mark, Reuters said. Last Monday it slid for a time below 1.40 marks.

Meanwhile, the British pound rose above two dollars.

Mr. David Allen.