on revamping its tourism strategy.

The Caribbean island's Tourism Minister, the Hon. Romanus Lansiquot and a broad-based group of delegates arrived in Bermuda earlier this week for a fact-finding mission which involves examining all aspects of the local tourism industry.

And Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge said he welcomed the visit which stemmed from a two-day Price/Value tourism seminar held at Bermuda College last month.

"There was a representative from St. Lucia who was evidently impressed with Bermuda,'' he said, adding that the representative was advised to return to Bermuda to take a closer look at how the Island runs its tourism industry.

The 14-member group includes St. Lucia's Permanent Secretary of Tourism Mr.

Cletus Springer, St. Lucia Tourist Board director Mr. Allen Chastanet, deputy director Ms Agnes Francis, and representatives of the island's Hotel and Tourism Association, Air and Sea Ports Authority, Immigration, Customs, and National Taxi Council.

Ms Ganelle Charles from Radio St. Lucia is also travelling with the group which arrived last Monday evening.

"They are looking at every aspect of the tourism industry, our Immigration system, Customs system and amenities,'' said Mr. Woolridge, who met with some of the group on Tuesday night. "And we're rendering them every bit of technical assistance.

"We have a reputation among the islands of having done things right. They are impressed with our development and the cleanliness of the Island. They have come up and we're happy to give them assistance.'' Tourism director Mr. Gary Phillips said he spent three to four hours with the group on Tuesday, answering questions.

"They are interested in infrastructure things, particularly how we manage to promote and control at the same time for the benefit of all Bermuda,'' he said.

Mr. Phillips said the St. Lucia delegation was particularly fascinated with Bermuda's ability to get cruise lines to agree to a $60 per passenger tax while cruise lines complain about St. Lucia's $2 cruise-ship passenger tax.

However, he said, while the group was looking for ways for their island to empower itself, they had to be careful in comparing St. Lucia to Bermuda.

"The islands are not the same,'' he said, noting that St. Lucia is almost three times the size of Bermuda and has a larger population.

Mr. Woolridge said every week his department was contacted by tourism representatives from other islands, seeking advice.

He noted that at a recent Caribbean Tourism Organisation meeting, former Jamaican Prime Minister Mr. Michael Manley praised Bermuda's cruise ship policy.

And, Mr. Woolridge said when he met with Mr. Lansiquot on Tuesday night at Stonington, the St. Lucian Tourism Minister said Bermuda was 30 years ahead of his island and he would love to have a facility like Stonington built on the Caribbean island.