Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell has called on Government to rally the community for Millennium celebrations.

Mr. Dodwell said despite events planned for the east and west of the Island on New Year's Eve, there was a lack of enthusiasm for the dawn of the new century.

And although there are activities scheduled for Hamilton on January 1, he asked for a Government organised commemoration of some sort to involve all the community.

"There doesn't seem to be the sparkle there or the level of excitement from the community,'' he said.

"There doesn't seem to be anything above the normal to rally the community.

We would like to see something, after all we are celebrating a new century.

"There ought to be some sort of national celebration, that as Bermudians we can go to, put on by the Government for locals and visitors.'' Mr. Dodwell said an event could be organised, not necessarily for December 31, but possibly for the next day.

Anything on New Year's Eve should not detract from activities in hotels around the Island, he said.

The Corporation of Hamilton is organising a series of attractions on New Year's Day, with possibly a boat parade, children's entertainment and an evening concert in the City Hall car park.

They will follow evening celebrations, seeing in the new century at Dockyard and St. George's. Tourism has pumped $250,000 into the three events and there will be other activities in the weeks after.

Tourism Minister David Allen is hoping the events will pull in overseas visitors for a winter holiday.

Three charter aircraft are set to supplement scheduled services -- at a time of year when Bermuda's normal carriers downsize their aircraft for the off season.

But two of the airlines are reporting little extra interest in Millennium bookings to the Island.

An American Airlines spokesman said there did not appear to be a rush on Bermuda seats around December and January.

She said bookings were at the usual level for the festive period and there was plenty of space still left.

"People who want to be here have booked already,'' she said.

British Airways Bermuda manager Philip Troake said as yet there was no unusual demand for seats for travel to or from London, before or after New Year's Eve.

One carrier which is expecting to be fully booked is Air Canada, with its residents keen to escape a cold northern winter.

Spokesman Nicole Couture-Fimard said Christmas and New Year was always a busy period for their sun destinations such as Bermuda.

"Bookings are ahead of last year and we believe it could be because of the Millennium,'' she said. "For Bermuda, things are pretty well booked up and we expect them to be fully booked.''