Representatives of the hotel industry have made a direct appeal to Government because of their fears over the appointment of a new Tourism director.

Hospitality executives are concerned that the hunt for the successor to Gary Phillips will not be widened enough to include other possible candidates -- if those who applied are not up to scratch.

One hotel source said the tourism community wanted the selectors to not be afraid to head-hunt or consider foreigners for the top job -- despite pressure to have a Bermudian in the position.

Industry insiders said the post will play such a key role in the revitalisation of the business, that it was vital that a strong and able leader was selected.

And so strong was the desire to have a qualified and accomplished expert in the field, that the Bermuda Hotel Association wrote to Cabinet Secretary Leo Mills with their views.

The correspondence, sent last September, asked for consideration to be given, when looking at the vacant post, to the experience and ability of the person to cope with the tough demands of the job.

Speaking about the selection process in general, BHA executive director John Harvey said the Public Services Commission should be prepared to stop the process and look elsewhere for possible replacements, if they feel the applicants were not suitable.

Concerns over director Mr. Harvey -- who said he had no information about who had applied for the job -- stressed that the selectors should not be coerced into making a decision because of time or other pressure.

"I feel they need to spend as much time on this as possible,'' he said. "It ought to be thoroughly reviewed and time taken to ensure that the right person is put in place.

"We have got to get it right. We can't afford to get it wrong.'' Mr. Harvey said it should not be the case that only those who applied should be considered, adding that the Government should go "shopping'' for a director -- even if that had not been done before for a Civil Service post.

"If that is what is required, that is what they ought to do,'' he said.

"They should not be afraid because of whatever reason. This is too vital for the country.'' And he implored that there not be any "let's drop the requirements'' to enable the position be filled.

The BHA's letter pointed out certain criteria for the role that they felt were vital for those making the choice.

It is understood that no non-Bermudians applied for the position.

There is speculation that former Elbow Beach human resources director Robert Calderon and New York-based Bermuda Tourism manager Richard Eve are two of the candidates.

Mr. Calderon left Elbow Beach last April, after a reported showdown between the hotel's Saudi owners and the Government. He maintained that he resigned but it was claimed that his departure was one of two conditions for the hotel to remain open.

Mr. Eve is a regional sales manager for Bermuda Tourism and has been based in New York for several years.

Efforts to contact both Mr. Eve and Mr. Calderon were unsuccessful.

Mr. Phillips, who has been in the post since 1986, is due to leave in May. His replacement is expected to be in the position by March.