layoffs from hotels in what is supposed to be the peak of the tourism season.

Opposition MP Reginald Burrows told the House of Assembly on Friday night that the workers -- many employed at some of the major hotels had been told they could be without work due to low occupancies.

Mr. Burrows who represents Southampton East, said part of the problem was the high cost of airfare to the Island and he wondered if more could not be done to attract more air charters into Bermuda.

But Tourism Minister David Dodwell said visitor projections for May were four percent up over last year; June was one percent below last year; and for July, projections were four percent up over 1996.

Regarding high air fares, Mr. Dodwell said Government did not control what the airlines charged, and he explained airlines operated under a "yield management'' system, wherein the shorter the flight, the higher the cost.

Regarding more charters, Mr. Dodwell pointed out Government had recently given the green light to Toronto-based Canada 3000 to begin a winter-season service to the Island.

But Mr. Burrows was supported by Shadow Minister of Tourism David Allen who said the threat of layoffs proved the Department of Tourism's "sex and sin campaign -- Let Yourself Go,'' was a failure.

Mr. Dodwell accused Mr. Allen of being fixated on marketing, saying: "The answers to Bermuda's tourism problems don't always revolve around marketing.'' Finance Minister Grant Gibbons seconded that, but also said if one looked at the "Let Yourself Go'' campaign objectively and statistically, one would see in the year before its inception air arrivals fell seven percent.

After the campaign was brought in air arrivals stabilised, actually rising one percent.

Mr. Allen also hit out at the state of the International Airport, citing everything from the placement of Automated Teller Machines, to the "paltry'' sandwich bars, to wires sticking out all over the place, to long lines at Customs.

Given the lack of action on a proper food concession, Mr. Allen alleged some kind of "collaboration'' -- a McDonald's "subterfuge'' was afoot -- provoking howls of laughter from the UBP bench and bringing a sharp warning from the Speaker Ernest DeCouto.

Regardless Mr. Allen continued on, referring to his members opposite as "the Honourable, question mark, Honourable gentlemen.'' Dr. Gibbons swiftly rose to his feet on a point of order, claiming Mr. Allen was impugning improper motive. The Speaker agreed and demanded Mr. Allen withdraw his comments or be expelled from the House. Mr. Allen complied.

TOURISM TOU