the Tourism industry under the Progressive Labour Party's watch.

And Tourism Minister David Allen also gave a report card on the activities of the Ministry within its first 100-plus days under his stewardship.

The briefing came during Mr. Allen's three-and-a-half hour presentation in the House of Assembly on day two of the Budget debate by departmental head.

All of the Progressive Labour Party's efforts to date and in the future were in preparation for a Year 2000 Business Plan, said Mr. Allen, which would focus on four main areas -- marketing, finances, product development and the people.

In the same way, he continued, the Budget and its allocation of $35,699,000 to the Tourism Department was part of the preparation for this plan.

Some of the building blocks that had been laid in place under the first three months were clearly evident to the public while others would become evident in due course, added Mr. Allen.

Plans in the works include a 24-hour hot line to allow visitors to seek assistance on any problems they experience and provide remedies.

Also being developed in conjunction with the Visitor Industry Partnership was a frequent visitor programme which is set to be up and running by the fall.

And a bi-annual newsletter will be implemented to keep repeat visitors informed about what is going on in Bermuda.

Until then, all repeat visitors will receive a letter thanking them for visiting Bermuda.

Along with the already re-structured 22-member Tourism Board and the formation of the new National Tourism Action Group, the Minister also has a organisation made up of the "top movers and shakers'' in the travel industry planned.

This group would include airline and cruise line CEOs and top members of worldwide hospitality industry and would meet regularly and hopefully provide help for the Island when required.

While cash had gone into continuing long-established projects like the Monitor Company and Freeman Project's work on-Island, other funding was in new areas, said Mr. Allen.

Some $1.9 million had already gone into the review of the Department of Tourism's advertising and public relation contracts, which led to the hiring of J. Walter Thompson and Tango Multi-Media to handle advertising and Lou Hammond and Associates to hire public relations for the Island.

A short, tactical campaign was due out in April, he added, which would hit the print media and radio first, then full colour weekly news magazines and then cable television with the emphasis on converting interest into sales.

"A major on-Island and off-Island launch is set for the campaign. This ad campaign will be so lush and lavish in quality of presentation it will do for Bermuda what the movie Out of Africa did for East Africa.'' To further boost the conversion rate, some 1,600 North American travel agents will be offered cash incentives based on the amount of business they send to the Island.

A fund of $1 million has been set aside to fund this initiative.

Advertising and public relations efforts will also be tied into specific on-Island events and three scheduled for 2000 include the tall ships race from Cadiz, Spain, a series of Millennium celebration events and the Festival Fringe next January and February when local performers will share the spotlight with international acts brought in for the Bermuda Festival.

Entertainment is getting a boost with $250,000 being put toward a joint venture with the Department of Airport Operations to allow Bermudian entertainers to greet every arriving flight.

This "Bermudian welcome'' will be further emphasised at the airport with arriving passengers able to get either a local alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage of their choice in the baggage hall.

And as of yesterday. disclosed Mr. Allen, the Visitor Information Office at the airport was now open and would remain so for every arriving flight.

This policy has also been extended to the Visitor Service Bureaus in Hamilton and St. George's which are now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day during the winter.

Local entertainers will also be in place to greet every arriving cruise ship as of the start of the official season on May 1.

Boosting entertainment in hotels is still on the cards, pledged Mr. Allen, and incentives for hoteliers might come in another Budget.

While overseas Mr. Allen has also taken the opportunity to meet with Tourism staff.

And in June almost all the Department's 70-odd staff will get together on-Island for a Ministry of Tourism Planning Conference to develop the Department's way forward.

Mr. Allen received a tongue-lashing from his counterpart, Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell, who was only left with 50-odd minutes to speak in the tourism debate.

Mr. Dodwell noted that Mr. Allen's approximately three-and-a half hour debate eclipsed the half hour presentation given by Premier and Education Minister Jennifer Smith on Monday during the debate of the Education heads in the Budget.

"I think this is a sad reflection of balance,'' noted Mr. Dodwell, who pointed out Mr. Allen's long presentation did not allow the chance for other MPs to participate.

Turning to the substance of the debate, Mr. Dodwell's main concern was the lack of a hard copy of the PLP's plan to rescue tourism.

There was an obligation for the Government to share the information with the people, he continued, as they were the ones paying for it.

He asked: "Does it really exist? I would like to think there is a plan but to say you are not going to publish it is a big mistake. I think people have a right to see the plan.'' He stressed that this was especially true with the new Government stating it would practise the policies of accountability, transparency and fairness.

Ministry of Tourism 1999/00 estimates Ministry responsibility: To promote and control the tourist industry for the benefit of Bermuda & to oversee marine services.

Budget estimate: $35,699,000 (last year $32,990,000) Revenue: $159,000 Budget allocations Administration $2,216,000 Marketing $22,323,000 Sales $7,258,000 Activities $3,374,000 Management Information $528,000