on Barbados, probably the destination closest to Bermuda, in The Courier. The publication is produced by the African-Caribbean-Pacific-European Union in Brussels.

The theme of an extensive examination of Barbados is that "adaptability is the watchword''. That's part of what Monitor has been telling Bermudians.

Today tourism is the single most important economic factor in Barbados and attracts more than 400,000 stayover visitors annually; fewer than Bermuda. It also attracts an even larger number of cruise visitors.

Luther Miller, the director of the Barbados Tourism Authority, explained to The Courier that Barbados is a "mature'' destination having been in the hospitality business much longer than most of its Caribbean neighbours.

"The adjective `mature' is sometimes used to describe the stage in the economic cycle of a sector or firm just before decline sets in, but Mr. Miller is certainly not looking at it in this way.'' That seems to us to be an apt description of what happened in Bermuda which right now can probably be described as "post-mature' since clearly the decline has set in and it is that decline we are trying to turn around.

The Courier says adaptability is the key in Barbados and tourism professionals there know the market is constantly evolving and that their tourism product must evolve with the market.

"In particular, visitors' expectations in terms of quality and service are higher than they used to be (this is a worldwide phenomenon) and new investments, both material and human, are needed to keep pace with this.'' Barbados is seen as operating at the top of the market with some very exclusive facilities for rich holidaymakers and business visitors but it also caters to the middle range with lower priced but not cheap packages. Concorde lands there with high payload visitors but Barbados also caters to the package market with regular charter flights.

Mr. Miller is quoted as saying that "one Brit is worth two Americans'', referring to the fact that British and European visitors stay longer.

"The British market is particularly lucrative, thanks to effective marketing over many years and it provides roughly the same number of visitors as the much larger, and closer, USA.'' That being the case, Barbados does not need as many visitors as Bermuda does.

Bermuda has always concentrated on the US Northeast and has never made a convincing effort to attract visitors from Britain or Europe. We have ongoing problems with BA flights from Britain and no direct flight from Europe, yet Barbados gets Concorde! It is becoming increasingly clear that Bermuda is in the rut called "the same old two and six''.