Bermuda could be poised to link up with the Caribbean region as part of its tourism programme.

In a move which could anger many Island hoteliers and hospitality executives, the Government is to decide whether it will join the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.

The Royal Gazette has learnt that CTO officials have already made a presentation to the Tourism Board, and Tourism Minister David Allen is set to make a recommendation to Cabinet.

But, he said, it would be up to his Cabinet colleagues to decide whether the Island joined or not.

"There are two schools of thought,'' he said. "There is a need to network with the Caribbean and find out what the competition is doing, but on the other hand Bermuda has a different season.

"If it went ahead, I don't foresee it with our targeted marketing -- we have a very different season and emphasis different things.'' There is a cost associated with joining -- which it is understood could be approaching $80 to $90,000 a year.

The CTO is an inter-governmental organisation which brings together Caribbean countries.

It is also involved in generic advertising of the Caribbean as a region. There are different levels of membership.

Some hospitality executives want to forge closer links with the Caribbean, which is seen as having strong emotional and cultural ties to Bermuda -- hotels have already joined the Caribbean Hotel Association.

Back in 1997, Mr. Allen -- then Shadow Tourism Minister -- urged the UBP Government to join the CTO. At the time he said "the time is long overdue that we have to think in terms of promoting ourselves as part of the region''.

But some believe any links could undo much of the marketing work which promotes Bermuda's "Britishness'', uniqueness as a destination, its geographical location and its perception of being "another world''.

Tourism officials and advertising agencies already spend much time educating travel agents and visitors that Bermuda is not part of the Caribbean.

And the recent "Bermuda Tourism Private Sector Long Term Strategy'' highlighted a need to "distinguish Bermuda from other destinations seeking to appeal to the affluent traveller''.

It also pointed towards expanding European gateways and increasing European room nights to 20 percent of the total by 2003.

Mr. Allen added yesterday: "I am really looking at it quite dispassionately, both sides, I can see the pros and cons.'' The decision is expected in the next couple of months.

TOURISM TOU