in the holiday market.

Professor Klaus de Albuquerque, from the College of Charleston's Department of Sociology and Anthropology, makes the claim in his report on "Tourism Development in Small Caribbean Islands''.

And using Bermuda as a comparison to the island of St. Martin, Prof. de Albuquerque says that Bermuda is a good example of how to sustain tourism development -- unlike St. Martin.

The assessment comes as a major slump in Bermuda tourism has seen critics accuse the Island of losing its grip on the business.

Prof. de Albuquerque visited the Island in May to take part in the first Island Tourism International Forum at Bermuda College.

In a covering comment for his 31-page paper, he told The Royal Gazette : "While it may be small consolation to Bermudians, given continuing decline in tourist arrivals, I am sure they would appreciate hearing that I consider Bermuda a model for other small island tourism destinations.'' The professor's comments contrast with a statistical history showing the Island suffering falling arrivals numbers since the 1980s. Despite its recent rocky history, he said the Island seemed to be holding to a course that was good for its long-term best interests.

"Bermuda's comprehensive planning to control visitor densities, preserve its natural cultural heritage and target upscale visitors, assures the island some measure of sustainable tourism development,'' he said.

"In addition, Bermuda provides an example of a mature, long-standing tourism industry wholly integrated into the island society.'' In the report Prof. de Albuquerque discusses the history of tourism of Bermuda and looks at the recent decline since the peak year for visitors to the Island in 1980.

He said: "The decline in tourism arrivals Bermuda has experienced since 1987 is quite perplexing in light of the high level of satisfaction visitors to the Island have registered in periodic surveys.'' Quoting figures from 1989, he pointed out that 62 percent of visitors rated the Island as one of the best possible vacations. Also 73 percent said that they were likely to revisit in the next two years.

Prof. de Albuquerque said: "Actual repeat visitation stood at 43 percent in 1989, an enviable level in comparison to other island destinations and the highest level since 1980.

"Visitors rated the overall Bermuda vacation experience very highly, but there were some concerns about price.'' Attempts by the Department of Tourism to introduce discounts and better value holidays are discussed in the report, but the professor said this flies in the face of the carefully cultivated image as an "upscale destination''.

He said: "The Department of Tourism remains upbeat that Bermuda has a superb product and that tourism will turn up in 1993.

"Rather than turning to deep discounting to promote more visitors, Bermuda is stressing value through more creative packaging and has embarked on an aggressive marketing programme stressing the affordability of the Bermuda vacation and the unique quality of the experience.

"The short term goal is to get stayovers back to the 450,000 level and for a modest increase in the length of stay while maintaining the bed capacity.'' Prof. Albuquerque said that residents of the Island supported the Government's attempts to protect the environment not only for tourism but also for their own quality of life.