Bermuda's economic malaise is caused by poor visitor figures. There seems to be general agreement on what went wrong with Bermuda's tourist industry -- ageing hotels, poor attitude and deteriorating service accompanied by high prices. But very few people seem to have any solutions.

A tourism industry symposium on Tuesday evening was told that Bermuda is boring, over priced and in crisis. We have all known that for some years now.

"We're not delivering for the price''...That has been clear for ten years.

"Price perception, competition and a tired product have taken their toll''...Yes, but again that has long been the case.

"We now compete with resorts all over the world, Bali, Malaysia and Thailand''...People have been saying that ever since we have had air service.

"Bermuda is too dependent on the American market and we can't be putting all our eggs in one basket''...We heard that 30 years ago.

"What is needed is leadership and a national strategy plan''. ...True, but that, after all, is what all of Bermuda needs.

The Coalition for Change's John Casling pointed out that Bermuda had made the mistake of thinking that we should not mess with success. Well that is true but it is not very realistic to expect a Country which is fat from success to get off its rear end and start changing for the future. Maybe smaller units than countries do that. Maybe some companies do that, but many in Bermuda did not. Countries do not work that way. People who want to get votes tell other people how good it will be and not what is going wrong. Countries go with the flow especially when things are good, at least until some event alters the flow.

That is what has happened and Bermuda is trying to respond. The real challenge is to respond constructively and not to rush about making things worse. We have already had one expensive and unsuccessful "Let Yourself Go'' quick fix.

The Chamber of Commerce's David Rowntree said: "Everyone is out there doing their best, but it is not good enough.'' True, and it is not enough because there is no plan.

Bermuda did little about the recommendations of the Commission on Competitiveness for whatever reasons and therefore it seems that a local probe of tourism is unlikely to produce solutions or a plan. For one thing, there is too little local agreement on what to do and we all know that anything Government decides the Progressive Labour Party will get in the way and object, no matter how constructive the decision.

Mr. Casling, for example, thinks we should allow gambling. The Bermuda International Business Association's Mr. Glenn Titterton thinks we should stay away from gambling. It seems clear to us that gambling is an attempt at a quick fix which is unlikely to produce the desired results while bringing with it serious dangers. In any case, it seems clear that most Bermudians do not want gambling and Bermuda cannot afford another row like gay rights, Independence or McDonald's.

We think Bermuda needs long term solutions which may well require important changes. Bermudians are unlikely to administer tough medicine to themselves.

Therefore we think there should be general agreement to follow the suggestion to consult Monitor, no matter the expense. They had great success in Ireland.

There are real indications, if we will accept the recommendations, then Monitor might well help Bermuda come up with solid solutions for the future.

We would have to hope for general acceptance of the solutions.