But those interviewed by The Royal Gazette insisted what their guests did in the privacy of their hotel rooms was their own business.

"Being in the hotel business ... you accommodate all your guests,'' said Mr. Neal Stephens, resident manager at The Reefs.

As for Bermuda's law, which provides for a maximum 10-year prison sentence for consensual sex between adult males, "I would say the law is probably antiquated, and it doesn't seem to be used, and it doesn't seem to be in effect in most other countries.

"In that respect, it probably could be repealed.'' At Pink Beach Cottage Colony, general manager Mr. W.A. (Toppy) Cowan said the question was "a ticklish one'' and he was not sure how he would react if a group of openly gay men or women telephoned and said they wanted to stay at Pink Beach.

"I don't understand it, and perhaps many other people don't understand it,'' Mr. Cowan said of homosexuality. "I'm not as critical of the situation, I suppose, unless it was done directly in front of me.'' And while the law of the Island is clear, "if someone called and said an indecent act was taking place in a room, I really don't know if I would go into the room,'' Mr. Cowan said. "I probably wouldn't enter a room.'' At Horizons and Cottages, general manager Mr. Wilhelm Sack said he did not feel the gay sex law issue was a threat to Bermuda's tourism industry at present, but "it could snowball'' into detrimental publicity.

"I don't think it's going to die out,'' Mr. Sack said. "People are not going to let it die out.'' But he would not comment on whether Bermuda's law should be changed. At Grotto Bay Beach Hotel, director Mr. George H. Robinson said: "Any adverse publicity about any destination could have an impact on tourism, and in that regard the constant press on this is detrimental, or has the potential of being detrimental.

"I think we're making more of an issue than needs to be made of it.'' Visitors have valued Bermuda over the years because of the financial, sexual, and other types of privacy it affords, and "people of varying sexual preferences have never been discriminated against here,'' Mr. Robinson said.

"I think the whole issue is being taken too far.''