Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge said yesterday he was "very deeply concerned'' as crime against visitors continues to escalate.

And he warned that Bermuda's good reputation and high standard of living were in jeopardy if criminals continued to prey on visitors.

"While other countries are also concerned with increasing crime, they have other sources of revenue -- we don't,'' he warned.

And he added that Bermuda's success as a holiday destination depended on it being crime-free.

"I am appealing to the general attitude of Bermudians. We've had it so good here but to spoil it and take it for granted would be the biggest mistake of all,'' he said.

His remarks yesterday came in response to a Police report that three guests were robbed on Tuesday night bringing the number of hotel break-ins this week to 22.

Thieves broke into hotel rooms in Paget and Smiths taking cash, travellers cheques and a watch.

Mr. Woolridge, who returned last night from a week promoting Bermuda among top US and Canadian insurance executives in Atlanta, appealed to criminals to: "stop and think of the consequences of their actions''.

"It is regrettable because even one incident of this kind is damaging to Bermuda's reputation.

"We have very intelligent people in this country. But we have now reached a point that if we don't stop it soon it will be very damaging to Bermuda,'' he said.

He pointed out that the Island must be careful not to go the way of one US resort which has seen a dramatic decline in visitor numbers in recent years because of crime.

"It is a worldwide thing and is affecting everybody,'' he said.

Paradoxically, Mr. Woolridge said the tourism industry was bigger than ever with a record 39.9 trillion dollars spent on tourism and travel throughout the world this year.

And by 1995, 5.5 percent of the average income is expected to be spent on leisure.

"It could go elsewhere if we are not careful,'' he warned.

But he added that while visitors should be aware that crime exists in Bermuda as elsewhere, he did not want to make them fearful.

He advised hoteliers to use Department of Tourism reminders urging visitors to exercise precaution and to hold in-house seminars for employees, teaching them to properly secure hotel premises.