Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell has called upon the Government to tone down their lavish tourism entertaining and start educating the travel industry about Bermuda.

Mr. Dodwell is concerned at the level of spending on overseas tourism revitalisation tours, which he said he believes will top $1 million with next week's World Travel Congress in France.

He said the money would be better spent informing travel agents about the Island and what it has to offer, than laying on free food, drink and entertainment.

And he claimed the reported $350,000 being spent in Strasbourg could be better redirected at marketing support for the two new air services due to start next year.

"This money would be much better spent in a more targetted way,'' he said.

"I am not critical of attending the American Society of Travel Agents in Strasbourg, but I am of spending $350,000 on entertaining travel agents.

"That event has a less important audience than the US or Canadian roadshows.'' And Mr. Dodwell added that the ASTA eastern region, which stretches from New England to Florida, is actually holding a conference on the Island in March.

"That is the time we should be spending the money,'' he said. "That is the time to put on a show, when these people are in our own backyard. But I doubt whether he has the money to spend on that.'' With a planned west coast and mid west promotion to back up the new TWA St.

Louis and Delta Atlanta flights, Mr. Dodwell predicted some difficult financial decisions ahead.

He added that, despite claims to the contrary, the United Bermuda Party had held a major promotion in San Diego just over two years ago, not as far back as 12 years.